The Mayor of Merritt is pleased that the person believed to have set fire to four Nicola Valley churches – including the historic Murray Church – was arrested last week.

Linda Brown says there was a lot of fear when the incidents were unfolding.

“I think there’s a bit of relief now that the suspect has been caught,” she said. “From there, I don’t know what the church community will do, but I’m sure that gives them a great sense of relief that the individual still isn’t out there.”

A 37-year-old Merritt man is facing four counts of arson.

But what about plans to rebuild the nearly 150-year-old Murray United Church, which was a total loss?

“It did not have insurance,” Brown said. “At this point, the idea of rebuilding is moot, there isn’t anything at this point to rebuild with.”

“Now that doesn’t mean there won’t be some kind of fundraising done by the community to try that again, I don’t know. But it certainly is a missing link in our heritage.”

There are however plans to repair the Crossroads Community Church.

“They have been damaged fairly extensively in a confined area,” Brown noted. “But they do plan on getting it fixed and having it in full operation very soon.”

Two others churches on First Nations land were also hit by arson, but the Murray Church was the only total loss.