Arson suspected in historic Carroll County church fire

Carroll County church arson

A historic church in Carroll County has been ruled an arson.

CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. - A historic Carroll County church is destroyed by what fire investigators say is a suspected case of arson. Smith Chapel Church in Bowden dates back to the 1800s.

Fire investigators say they’ve ruled out the normal causes of such devastating fires. They say there was no electricity at church. No gas service either. No lightning strike. But they say recently there has been concerning activity - vandalism.

According to the website Historical Rural Churches, the small country church dates back to 1850. Once a Methodist church, it’s now owned privately and was recently restored.

SKYFOX Drone photo of the ruins of Smith Chapel Church in Bowdon

On Monday, investigators say the fire broke out and raced through the old church. It left only one wall standing.

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Photo courtesy of Historical Rural Churches and photographer Andy Sarge

There is a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. If you have information that can help in the case call the State Arson Control Headline. The number is 1-800-282-5804.