A house that was used “for the Glory of God” was destroyed by fire Thursday night.

The home of Glenn and Linda Geddie, located on J. P. Geddie Road south of Ellisville, was actually built by the owners.

They even used some of the lumber from Mr. Geddie’s great-grandfather’s house, a relative said, and used their sawmill to create more wood. They have lived in the house about six years.

But, even with the work the owners personally put into the structure, there was more to the home.

The Geddie family was not at home Thursday night when the fire started. They were actually at church. And, as soon as word of the fire spread, members of their church, West Ellisville Baptist Church, responded in droves.

Erika Harris, the wife of West Ellisville’s youth minister, said the Geddie’s would open up their home to anybody when there was a need.

“They’ve opened up their house to various ministries,” Harris said. “They’ve let kids in. They used it for the Glory of God and I know they wouldn’t say that, but it is a great loss in itself.

“They are an important part of other people’s lives. I hope our church will pour blessings on them the way they have on others.”

A score of firefighters from across Jones County responded with dozens of fire trucks. Jones County Fire Council Public Relations Officer Lance Chancellor said the first alarm called out Johnson, Ovett, Union, and Moselle volunteer fire departments. A second alarm dispatched Glade and Ellisville while a third alarm summoned Powers. A fourth alarm was also needed, this time dispatching South Jones, Calhoun, and Southwest volunteer fire departments. Other districts were also ready to respond.

Two Jones County Sheriff’s Department deputies, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKinna, and EmServ also responded. The American Red Cross also dispatched more volunteers to help keep firefighters and family members safe.

Chancellor said the firefighters were literally exhausted because of the intense heat. He said the Emergency Operations Center was also dispatched to help with their air supply.

“We’re running through air bottles like crazy,” he said. They were also running through thousands of gallons of water, using a pond in front of the house to refill tankers.

Besides Glenn and Linda Geddie, the house was home to two grandsons, one who is in high school and one in college.