Whitney Church Deemed Total Loss After Devastating Fire

Easter services to continue despite destruction of main building and community thrift store

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:37pm

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A fire that started from a side-by-side ATV has destroyed the main building of Fort Graham Baptist Church in Whitney, Texas, leaving the area deemed a total loss. Despite the devastating damage, the church plans to hold Easter services in their remaining sanctuary hall building.

Why it matters

The church was a pillar of the Whitney community for decades, serving generations of residents. The loss of the main building and the community thrift store is a significant blow, but the congregation is determined to carry on.

The details

The fire broke out on Wednesday evening, with the flames quickly spreading from the ATV to the church building. Firefighters from multiple departments responded, using over 30,000 gallons of water to try to extinguish the blaze. One firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion, and several others were treated at the scene. The main sanctuary and the church's community thrift store were completely destroyed, leaving the area deemed a total loss.

  • The fire started around 5:45 pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
  • Crews tore down the remaining walls of the church on Tuesday, within 24 hours of the fire.

The players

Fort Graham Baptist Church

A church that served the Whitney, Texas community for decades, known as a pillar of the local area.

Chris Jackson

The Hill County Emergency Management Coordinator who provided details on the fire response.

Allan Lane

A former pastor and church member who served the church for 40 years.

Bryan Hill

The current pastor of Fort Graham Baptist Church.

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What they’re saying

“Last night the folks that gathered here generations grandparents and their children and their grandchildren all telling stories about how their lives were changed here.”

— Allan Lane, Former pastor and church member

“The cross still stands, right? Christ is still Lord, we can look at this and say it's a building but his church is still safe and his body is still intact, so we are going so we are still going to keep doing our mission.”

— Bryan Hill, Current Pastor

What’s next

Easter service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday morning in the church's remaining sanctuary hall building.

The takeaway

The devastating fire has destroyed a beloved community institution, but the congregation of Fort Graham Baptist Church remains determined to carry on their mission and serve the Whitney area, even in the face of this tragic loss.