St Mary's Church Fire, One year Later

On the first anniversary of the Saint Mary's Church fire we've asked Fire Chief, Marc Scrivener to take a look back on what was one of the biggest fires in Windham's recent history.

Rainbows Over St Mary's. Jay Schall Photo

Chief Scriveners' thoughts one year after, in his own words:

Firefighters tend to be a superstitious group, second only to baseball players. Whenever someone remarks, "It's been a while since we've had a multi-alarm fire," every firefighter in the room knocks on a wood table, desk, or whatever can be found. Although I'm not as superstitious as some of my brother and sister firefighters, sometimes I do marvel at the apparent synchronicity of events that affect our lives.

On Sunday May 4th, 2014 at 6:05 PM, as we approached the one year anniversary of the fire at St Mary's church, the Willimantic Fire Department responded to a house fire almost directly behind the church. Word quickly spread through the neighborhood near the church, and on social media. More than a few people feared the church was again burning. And certainly to the casual observer within a several block radius, the smoke column did appear to be coming from the church. 

Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire at 64 Maple Avenue--and, credit is partially due to Father "Red" Lamoureux, who noticed the fire and raised the alarm. His timely actions surely enabled the fire department to respond quickly and extinguish the fire before it became much worse. It seems quite apropos that the Maple Avenue fire was within two weeks of the anniversary of the St Mary's church fire, at about the same time, on a day of worship, and discovered by Father Red.

After the fire on Maple Avenue was extinguished and firefighters were cooling off in the street, one of the most magnificent triple rainbows I've ever observed appeared in overhead. Both firefighters and bystanders alike were awed and many people quickly used their phones to capture a photograph of the sky. Of course, in Biblical texts, the rainbow represents rebirth and new beginnings--among other things. It's hard not to superstitious during moments as these. 

In the last year, and probably for some additional months yet to come, the St Mary's congregation has undoubtedly experienced a roller coaster of emotions. And I'm sure they have had to work on their collective patience, tolerance, and grace while sharing space with another congregation. As anyone who has ever lived with another family can attest, even the most charitable people will eventually grate on each others' nerves while co-existing in shared space.

Many of St Mary's congregants have spoken to me, either in person or on social media, to express their range of feelings about the damage to their beloved church building, and their gratitude for that which remains. In these conversations, I've come to appreciate just how enmeshed this church is in our community. As people have shared with me, it is the focal point of memories of baptisms, weddings, funerals and many such milestones in people's lives.

I drive by St Mary's at least twice a day, on my way to and from work, and I often go past the church on foot. It also looms large and iconic over community events on Jillson Square. Throughout the last year, I've imagined how the community might have changed if the firefighters had not saved the building. I'm grateful they did so. 

Chief Scrivener's Original Story of the Saint Mary's Fire

Update and Progress Saint Mary's  Restorations