The Salem Fire Protection District evacuated the Grace Church on North Broadway in Salem Sunday morning after a strong smell of gas filled the church and drifted out into the parking lot.
The fire department stood by until Liberty Gas, which serves the north side of Salem, arrived. They determined the issue was likely a gas leak in the building and shut off natural gas service until repairs could be made.
As a result, services at Salem Grace were canceled for the day.
The fire department was called to the scene at 8:34 Sunday morning and remained there for nearly two hours.
