Family Recovers After Tragic Fire At Historic Pottstown Church, $11K Raised

POTTSTOWN, PA — Thousands of dollars have been raised to support a local family after a fire a historic Montgomery County church left their nearby home severely damaged.

The five-alarm blaze at the Transfiguration Lutheran Church, which has stood since 1861 on the corner of N. Hanover Street and Chestnut Street, took place on Friday, Nov. 21.

The fire completely destroyed the old church, and the damage extended to nearby homes. Quick and pointed action from firefighters prevented the entire neighborhood from being lost, and, miraculously, no one was killed or seriously injured.

However, water damage from necessary firefighting efforts devastated some apartments. That included the home of the Devlin family, including Madison and her two young boys, Zak and Robbie.

"If you know Madison, you know she shows up for everyone around her, always with an open heart, a calm presence, and a willingness to help anyone in need," the fundraiser's creator, Matthew Wright-Conti wrote. "Now it’s our turn to show up for her."

More than $11,000 has been raised for the Devlin family through the GoFundMe.

The family hopes to be able to return to their apartment, but that won't be for at least four months. They have temporary housing, but they lost many of their essential day-to-day living items in the fire. Further, their renter's insurance only covers part of the loss, leaving an "overwhelming" financial burden.

"Any amount, no matter how small, will help her begin to rebuild and feel grounded again during this difficult time," Wright-Conti added.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and it's still not clear what may have caused it. Authorities have been quiet thus far on potential theories.

"Given the intensity of the fire and the extent of structural loss and debris, the investigation as to cause will take some time," Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick said after the blaze. "We ask the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators the time they need to complete their work thoroughly."

Henrick tellingly added at the time, "This could have been so much worse."

Authorities said fighting the blaze presented unique challenges due to the age of the church, the heavy timber roof, and the structure of its steeple and spire, which can cause fires to spread very quickly.