Fire Destroys Southold's First Universalist Church

A late Saturday night fire destroyed a historic Southold church.

According to Southold Town Police, officer Robert Haas was on patrol when he saw that First Universalist Church, located at 51900 Route 25, was up in flames at about 11:28 p.m.

The Southold Fire Department, along with other area departments, responded and extinguished the blaze at the church, which was unoccupied at the time, police said.

The Suffolk County Police Arson Squad responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but it is not believed to be suspicious, police said.

Sunday services at the church, which was built in 1860, had been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The devastating fire has rocked the Southold community, with condolences flooding the church’s Facebook page Sunday morning.

“I am so heartbroken to hear the news about the fire that destroyed this beautiful church,” one woman wrote. “This is a tragic loss to the community. I grew up in Southold and will keep you all in my prayers.”

Photos by Andrew Miller

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