Catholics pitch in to help victims of church fire

Out of the ashes of a New Year's Day fire has arisen a tidal wave of support from neighboring churches.

Those offering physical and financial support to the First Baptist Church in Warrensburg that was gutted by flames on Jan. 1 include nearby St. Cecilia's Catholic Church and the Northern Points Cluster, comprised of Blessed Sacrament in Hague, St. James in North Creek and St. John the Baptist in Chestertown.

"The response we've received from churches in the area has been overwhelming," Evelyn Reeve, wife of First Baptist Pastor Allan Reeve, told The Evangelist recently.

Catholic response

Among the first calls the Reeves received was from Rev. Nellis Tremblay, pastor of St. Cecilia's and president of the Warrensburg Ministerial Association. Father Tremblay offered the Baptists the use not just of St. Cecelia's but also of other churches in the area for worship services.

"We are very grateful for all the Catholics and members of other denominations have done to help us through this difficult time," Mrs. Reeve said.

Although the congregation of the First Baptist Church has opted to conduct services in the nearby parsonage rather than at St. Cecilia's, Mrs. Reeve said she and her husband were "deeply touched" by the gesture on the part of Father Tremblay.

Parishioners of St. Cecilia's are also taking up a collection to assist with the Baptist church's rebuilding fund. A total has not yet been announced.

Donation

Meanwhile, parishioners of the Northern Points Cluster responded to an appeal for donations issued by their parish administrator, Rev. Joseph O'Brien. He has sent a check for more than $800 to the First Baptist Church rebuilding fund.

"Even though many miles separate our churches, we felt it was important that we find some way of reaching out to share our baptismal gifts with those in the larger community," said Father O'Brien.

"Despite the considerable geographic distances and rough terrain, there is a tremendous sense of closeness between communities up here," he explained. "Even though people may attend different churches, their lives are often interconnected because clubs, athletics, business or family members living in nearby towns. So when a loss of this magnitude occurs, everyone is somehow very aware of it, and they all seem to want to help."

'Overwhelming response'

Pastor and Mrs. Reeve, who moved to Warrensburg just over two years ago from New York City, have been profoundly touched by such neighborliness.

"Coming from New York City, we never expected such an overwhelming response from strangers," she said. "We've been deeply touched by the many acts of kindness and generosity since the fire."

According to Mrs. Reeve, the historic Baptist church on Warrensburg's Main Street was a treasure in the sense that it reflected "the remarkable architectural workmanship" of a bygone era. "The church building was well over 100 years old, and so it contained a lot of antiques, which, of course, are gone now. Not only are the antique furnishings and the old architecture gone forever, but we lost absolutely everything inside the church building, right down to our Sunday school supplies, hymn books and paper clips."

To ring again

The only item that survived the blaze was the old church bell. It was removed from the charred bell tower in mid-January with the goal that it will be preserved for some kind of use after a new church is built.

To date, Mrs. Reeve estimates, $6,000 in donations have poured into the First Baptist Church's rebuilding fund from numerous sources. The church had about $400,000 in insurance coverage -- not enough to duplicate the original church structure.

"At this point," Mrs. Reeve said, "all we can do is pray. It's the Lord's house, and if He wants us to rebuild it, He'll provide."

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