MACON, Ga. — What was once considered a prominent church in the Pleasant Hill community is now burned to the ground after it went up in flames Sunday night.
The Macon-Bibb Fire Department says they're still trying to figure out what caused the fire.
George Muhammad grew up in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood.
"They see a ghetto, but I see a paradise," said Muhammad.
He had to pass the Mt. Temah Primitive Baptist Church on his way home from school.
"It can't be replaced," said Muhammad.
He remembers hearing stories from his mom about how it used to be the neighborhood's church. They would play songs on washboards, country style.
"She said my daddy loved the music they used to play at this church, and you could hear it all over the neighborhood and people would come on a regular basis," said Muhammad.
On Sunday night, he followed smoke he could see from the interstate, which led him to the spot where the church stood. He saw the structure burning.
Muhammad said he even recovered the church's sign from the wreckage.
The building itself was built almost 100 years ago and neighbors say it's been abandoned for more than 10 years.
Erion Smith says fires in abandoned structures are preventing the neighborhood from moving forward.
"We don't need to be going backwards -- stuff catching on fire, people putting it on fire," said Smith.
Muhammad and Smith both say there have been recent efforts to improve the community, but this fire is a step backwards.
"I just want to see Pleasant Hill get back to where it once was," said Smith.
They say the church, even though it was reduced to a blighted shell, will be missed.
"It represented a beautiful asset, even if you don't go to the church. It enhances the neighborhood -- it's the neighborhood's church," said Muhammad.
Fire investigator with the Macon-Bibb Fire Department Ben Gleaton says the church is considered a total loss. He also said there was a smaller fire in the church's basement about a year ago.
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