Devastating Fire

And still the Lord had other plans. At 6:00 a.m., Friday, November 22, 1996, Ed Thielen received call from Ella Nuss saying that the church was burning. Dazed, he called the senior warden and other vestry members and left a message for Fr. Greg who was in Fairbanks on Diocesan business. As Ed walked toward the still burning church building in which he had spent so very many hours of work and worship, he had a vivid recall of the May 1991 fire; the same fire Captain and same crew but a much sadder situation

At about 5:00 p.m., just as darkness was beginning to set in Ed was permitted to enter the building alone except for the fire inspector, to see if he could retrieve any items from the sacristy. Miraculously, the new sacristy was saved from the fire, it only received smoke and water damage. A portion of the roof had collapsed but with the help of the fire inspector, he retrieved the Chalice, Paten, Bread Box, Cruets and other essential Altar ware and service items.

Saturday, November 23 at about 12:00 noon the remains of the building was turned over to the congregation. About 20 members went through the remains with tears of sadness and joy -- sadness at finding something totally lost and joy in finding a treasure that could be saved. One member found a Bible that her grandmother had given her when she was a young child; another lost more than 150 personal books used as study references in his process to ordination. All robes of servers, lay readers and acolytes and the priest were lost, all church records are gone to include register and business records. The Sunday school books, materials, equipment, tables chairs, etc, all were gone. The sanctuary was only partially damaged by fire, but smoke and water damage was extensive. The fireman had tried to save the altar, tables, pews organ and piano by placing tarpaulins over them, but their efforts failed. The water soaked items froze as the ambient temperature sank to six below zero on Friday night. The altar and Pascal candle stand split and warped out of shape.

The Eagle River food pantry, operated by Pastor Green, not only lost about $20,000 in food but all its equipment, including six deep freezes and three refrigerators, shelving and office equipment and records.

Sunday, November 24, 1996, the congregation met in the conference room of the Municipal Parks and Recreation Office in Eagle River for its regular Sunday service. Then, in spite of the near zero temperature the congregation gathered for prayer at the burned church. Nearly 90 communicants, supporters, friends and members, who had not been in church for several months, participated.

Next: Phoenix Rises Again