Crews battle fire at artist's residence in former Tamaqua church

Fire companies from throughout Schuylkill and Carbon counties battled a stubborn three-alarm fire at the former 1st Presbyterian church in the 200-block of  West Broad Street in Tamaqua. Crews remained on the scene through the early morning hours. 

According to an online search, the structure is now owned by artist Stephen Bennett, and hosts  his residence and gallery.

Bennett is president of Faces of the World Inc.,  an educational 501c3 non-profit corporation, that teaches portrait painting to children around the world. He has taught the artist in residence program in Tamaqua. The building also housed a yoga studio.

The fire appears to be concentrated on the second floor. It is not clear if any artwork has been lost.

COPYRIGHT LARRY NEFF/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS