Holy Trinity Church in Geneseo, Ill., was severely damaged by fire shortly after dawn on Nov. 20. The Bishop of Quincy, the Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, said the fire was discovered at 8:05 a.m. when witnesses reported flames “shooting out of the sacristy window.”

Three fire departments responded to the blaze and were able to control the fire, but not until the sacristy had been destroyed and portions of the sanctuary, chancel and roof severely damaged. Bishop Ackerman said that when he arrived at 11 a.m., he was able to recover a few communion vessels and was “able to walk past the charred altar to carry the Blessed Sacrament outside.”

After meeting with parish officials and the Holy Trinity’s vicar, the Rev. Richard Greene, Bishop Ackerman celebrated Eucharist for the congregation at the home of a parishioner, administering “communion from the Reserved Sacrament that I carried from the church.

“The major question will involve whether or not the roof above the sanctuary and sacristy will still be able to stand,” Bishop Ackerman wrote in an email to supporters of the diocese, adding that it was “much too early to determine the cause.” Bishop Ackerman credited the Church Insurance Corp. for responding “immediately” to the disaster. Several clergy and lay leaders from the diocese were quick to offer their aid as well.

“I have a great sense of hope as I witnessed [the parishioners of Holy Trinity] consoling each other” he said, and asked the Church’s “prayers as we seek to rebuild.”

To find more news, feature articles, and commentary not available online, we invite you to subscribe to The Living Church magazine. To learn more, click here.