Gettysburg chapel blaze was arson, police say

GETTYSBURG - A fire that destroyed a Civil War-themed chapel in Gettysburg was set intentionally, police say.

Investigators are seeking three teens reported to be in the area at the time of Friday's pre-dawn blaze, borough Officer William Gonzalez said on Saturday.

The arson ruling has left chapel owner John Wega "overwhelmed with sorrow."

"To think that someone has come to that level of animosity, hatred or persecution," Wega said.

Wega founded the log chapel to tell the story of Christianity during the Civil War. Borough officials ordered the downtown site vacated in November because it no longer meets building codes.

The chapel drew officials' attention after a snowstorm damaged its original canvas roof. Wega replaced it with a roof that includes wooden beams, meaning the structure could no longer be considered temporary.

Wega said the work required to meet building codes would cost up to $10,000 - about as much as it cost to build the chapel. Renovations would include raising the roof to meet the 24-foot minimum and possibly installing bathrooms.

The chapel also had been vandalized in July.

Then, a neighbor reported seeing three teenagers running from the site.