If you are something of a history fan, October 12 has been an interesting date. You can find "good" things that happened, and you can find "bad" things that have occurred. For example: • 1492, Columbus reaches the "New World"; • 1870, Confederate General, Robert E. Lee dies; • 1997: John Denver dies; • 2023: Sacred Heart Church in Lawrence suffered significant fire damage.
This last item may not seem to be as significant as the other items listed first, except to the people of Lawrence and a large number of Lawrence native people currently living elsewhere.
The 99 year old building was in the process of receiving a major renovation. For most of 2023 to date a large amount of plaster had been replaced or repaired; the interior painting had been almost completed; woodwork refinished; renovation of the floor had a good start. In other words, maybe a large majority of the work required had already been completed.
On Wednesday, October 11, Gary Lemke, closed and locked the church building as he has since the renovation started late in the evening. He walked through the building late that evening without any notice of anything wrong.
However, when he arrived early the morning of October 12, he noticed the smell of smoke. He opened the door to the sacristy on the northeast corner of the building and could not see more than a few feet into the room, smoke was so thick.
Gary called the 911 number and it didn't take long for the Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department to arrive.
The firemen first attacked the fire from the church level. The flame was not large, but there was a fire to put out. After the fire was put out on the main church floor level, a small flame was found in the basement. As such, the firemen entered the basement to put out that fire.
The fire department had most all of its members respond. After the flames were put out, they helped vent the church to get the smoke out of it and stayed on scene until early afternoon assisting the State Fire Marshall who seemed to arrive in record time to inspect the fire.
Two primary areas of damage occurred. First off, smoke damage. The entire church was filled with smoke and even hours after the fire was extinguished, it was impossible to see the ceiling of the church because of the smoke still lingering there. Secondly, the fire itself burning the floor from just inside the northeast door across the front of the church to approximately the center aisle. The damage happened just south of the steps north up to the altar area. From north to south, the damage went from the steps to an area where the first few pews would have been if they were there.
At this time, the Fire Marshall is not releasing any information about the cause of the fire.
Father Thomas Brouillette, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Lincoln is representing the Bishop of the Diocese. At the present time insurance companies are in discussion of how to proceed. A 'structural engineer' is expected this week to inspect the building to insure there was no "structural damage' to the building and that repair work can begin.
The who, what, how and when of the future has to be decided and the cleanup and repair of the church will take place.
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