Lightning Strike Damages Historic Illinois Catholic Church

[Michie]

No one was inside the church during the time of the fire and the pastor safely removed the Holy Eucharist from the building, the diocese said.


ROCKFORD, Ill. — A lightning strike caused a roof fire Monday that severely damaged a historic Catholic church in Rockford, Illinois, and left three firefighters injured, authorities said.

The Rockford Fire Department determined that lightning set the roof on fire, Mike Rotolo, the department's fire prevention coordinator, told CNA Tuesday. The damage to the church may exceed $3 million, he said.

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Lightning Strike Damages Historic Illinois Catholic Church

 

[Gnarwhal]

What a shame, I mean I guess the silver lining might that it wasn't in active use - which is it's own tragedy - but it's sad nonetheless.

I wonder if they'll just tear it down then, unless they have $3M lying around to affect repairs but it seems like that kinda money would be much more needed in parishes that are actually active.

Not to hijack the thread but it's buildings like that that I think Catholics ought to form an independent nonprofit to buy those properties, restore them (if needed) and prep them for Latin Mass use. Like the NPO is "lending" these buildings to the Church for TLM use but the Church can't shut them down, repurpose them, or otherwise tell the TLM community to scram.

 

[WarriorAngel]

What a shame, I mean I guess the silver lining might that it wasn't in active use - which is it's own tragedy - but it's sad nonetheless.

I wonder if they'll just tear it down then, unless they have $3M lying around to affect repairs but it seems like that kinda money would be much more needed in parishes that are actually active.

Not to hijack the thread but it's buildings like that that I think Catholics ought to form an independent nonprofit to buy those properties, restore them (if needed) and prep them for Latin Mass use. Like the NPO is "lending" these buildings to the Church for TLM use but the Church can't shut them down, repurpose them, or otherwise tell the TLM community to scram.

It's unlikely it will be repaired.
If empty or not being used... they won't have money for it.

 

[RileyG]

Lord have mercy

 

[Ayel Lee]

I am going to pray for those three firefighters.