A large fire severely damaged a historic former church in Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington neighborhood, leaving the building condemned as investigators continue working to determine what caused the blaze.
Firefighters responded to the former Grandview United Presbyterian Church on Grandview Avenue on Tuesday evening after flames spread through the historic structure. Crews battled the fire for several hours before bringing it under control shortly before 9 p.m.
Investigators returned to the site on Wednesday to continue examining the scene. Canines specially trained to detect evidence related to arson were present during the investigation, but officials have not announced the cause of the fire.
The former church has deep roots in the Mount Washington community. The original building was constructed during the 1850s before it was rebuilt in the early 1900s. For many years, it served as a place of worship and a gathering point for local residents.
Donna Callender, a longtime church member and former elder, said watching the building burn was heartbreaking. She spent decades attending services and volunteering at the church before it closed in late 2022.
She said the church always gave people a sense of comfort and belonging. Seeing the roof collapse during the fire left her saddened as she had hoped to return to the building one day.
Her son, Donald Callender Jr., also shared his sadness over the loss. He remembered growing up at the church and spending time with friends and family during church activities. He said the building held many important memories for generations of local residents.
Donna Callender recalled helping with many church events over the years. She prepared meals, sang in the choir, and helped organize community rummage sales. She said the church had long been an important part of life in Mount Washington.
Assistant Fire Chief Mathew Davis said the age and layout of the building made the fire especially difficult to fight. The structure contained multiple floors, changing room layouts, and hidden spaces where flames continued spreading.
According to Davis, firefighters often discovered new pockets of fire after putting out others because older buildings can contain concealed areas that allow flames to move behind walls and through different sections of the structure.
Crews remained at the scene after the main fire was extinguished to put out remaining hotspots and make sure the fire did not reignite.
While emergency crews worked at the scene, police arrested a 23-year-old man identified as Colton Normand. Authorities said he was not accused of starting the fire.
According to court documents, Normand allegedly ran through active fire hose lines and toward the burning building while firefighters were working. Police said he told officers he wanted to see the flames and allegedly provided a false name when questioned.
Investigators also discovered that Normand had an active arrest warrant from Idaho. He was taken into custody on charges that include obstructing emergency services and providing false identification.
Officials emphasized that his arrest is separate from the fire investigation. Authorities have not identified any suspect connected to the cause of the blaze.
The former church property has recently been the subject of redevelopment discussions. Last month, the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation held a public meeting to discuss possible rezoning for part of Grandview Avenue.
According to information shared by District 2 Councilwoman Kim Salinetro, a proposal has been introduced to redevelop the former church property into a multi-unit condominium building. A follow-up community meeting has been postponed for 90 days.
For now, investigators continue examining the damaged building to determine how the fire began. The loss of the historic church has left many longtime residents mourning a landmark that served the Mount Washington community for generations.
