(SHIPSHEWANA) – Two men are in custody for allegedly setting a fire that destroyed a church.

LaGrange County Dispatch received a call at 5:53 Thursday morning of a structure fire at 5705 North 900 West in Shipshewana. The LaGrange County Sheriff's Department and the Shipshewana Fire Department arrived and found the Rosewood Fellowship Church fully engulfed in flames. Area fire departments were called in and the blaze was eventually put out.

An investigation by the LaGrange County Sheriff's Office, the Indiana Fire Marshal's Office and the AFT from the South Bend Field Office determined that the fire was suspicious in nature. A surveillance system at the church revealed two possible subjects and a dark SUV that had been at the church from 12:53 AM until 2:15 AM, which was prior to the fire.

Further investigation revealed that two individuals in a black Jeep Commander were arrested earlier Thursday morning by LaGrange County deputies in an OWI investigation and a warrant service. They were identified as 21 year old Andrew E. Yoder and 23 year old Michael Wengerd, both of Topeka. Yoder was charged with operating while
intoxicated and Wengard for an outstanding warrant.

Property believed to have been taken from the Church was still in the Jeep. Both Yoder and Wengerd were advised of their rights, and both admitted to the burglary and arson of the church. They have each been charged with one count of arson of a church and two counts of burglary.

Authorities say the church was a total loss, with damage estimates over $500,000. The matter is still under investigation.