BARTOW, Fla. — Remains of the Main St. Baptist Church seem a little different to Pastor Adam Mayfield after an arson attack on Sunday, March 13.

“It changes a little for us on the emotional side," said Pastor Mayfield on Thursday. "So it doesn't change that we’re hurt and that this was an amazing building that stood out in this community for a long time and we’ve now lost it. It doesn’t change that at all."

That loss is being felt at places like D'Lites Emporium in Bartow where the five months of business is not only serving customers, but also serving the church by donating 10% of its revenue this week to help the congregation rebuild.

“Things are tough for us as a new business owner,” said D’Lites owner Mike Latimer. “However we wanna make sure that we're good members of the community, and one of my employees has ties to the church.

"It was important to her, so we thought that it was the right thing to do.”

The woman accused in the attack, Nakia Newman, 39, is facing arson and burglary charges. Mayfield is also facing the fact that Newman was no stranger to the church. 

“We're familiar with her situation and some of her mental illnesses that she has," Mayfield said.

"We’ve attempted to love her and it changes because we're compassionate for her because we as a church exist for her and other people like her.”

It is faith that leaves this congregation compassionate for Newman and hope that puts her needs before theirs. 

“One way you can help is pray for for the lady who was involved in this," said the pastor. “We want her to get the help she needs more than us.”