One of Upson County’s oldest churches was damaged by fire Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters and rescue workers from Upson and Lamar counties rushed to Antioch Baptist Church, located on Barnesville Highway in Yatesville, Wednesday afternoon as flames engulfed a large part of the building.

Claire Morgan, wife of the church’s pastor Jeffrey Morgan, said the fire is believed to have started in the oldest part of the church – the children’s Sunday school rooms. It then moved toward the sanctuary. The church was established more than 190 years ago and some of the boards used in the current building were part of the original structure, she said.

Community volunteers and church members helped remove items from the sanctuary, damaged by fire, smoke and water. They were able to remove the grand piano, though its condition is questionable, Mrs. Morgan said.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and fire investigators were expected on the scene Thursday. Mrs. Morgan said there is speculation it may have started from an electrical malfunction. The fire started around 12:30 p.m. No one was reported injured in the fire.

Antioch Baptist Church has nearly 200 members. The Education department and the sanctuary suffered the most damage in the fire.

Sunday services may be held at the pavilion or in the fellowship hall, if there is no damage there, Mrs. Morgan said.