WILLOW WOOD, Ohio – In response to a string of arsons that have devastated multiple churches in the rural Appalachian regions of southern Ohio, a group of local community members is organizing a caravan to honor the legacy of the churches that have been lost.
The “Unity in Our Community” event, organized by The Friends of Fox Fairview Church, will take place on Sunday, October 20th. The most recent fire, which occurred on August 6, 2024, destroyed Fox Fairview Church, sparking the community to take action in remembrance.
The caravan will stop at each of the affected churches for a small ceremony to honor the legacy of each congregation. A church bell will be mounted on the back of a truck, and at each stop, congregation members will ring the bell, offer prayers, and read a brief history of the church that once stood.
The event will begin at Symmes Valley High School, located at 14778 State Route 141 in Willow Wood, where cars will begin lining up at 1:15 PM. The local fire departments that responded to the church fires will lead the caravan.
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation into these arson cases is still ongoing. So far, three churches have been destroyed. Despite the loss, the community is coming together to celebrate the churches’ enduring legacy and strengthen their resolve to rebuild.
