An early morning fire on Nov. 28 destroyed the parish hall building at St. George’s, Hawthorne, Calif. The fire was discovered by the church sexton who lives in another building on the church campus.

The Rev. Martir Vasquez, the vicar, said the parish hall building contained office space, a chapel, two kitchens and a dining area. A school for developmentally disabled adults which had been using the building during the week is in the process of looking for a new location to hold classes. “We lost everything that was in there,” Fr. Vasquez said. “The chapel was where the congregation originally began worshipping.”

First established in the 1930s, the congregation of St. George’s moved to its current location in the 1970s. According to Fr. Vasquez the only structure on the property at the time was an Army hospital barracks which after first being used as the main worship area, was later converted for use as a parish hall.

The fire was first reported at 1:50 a.m. About 30 firefighters required 25 minutes to extinguish the fire and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is believed to have been an electrical short.

Among the items destroyed were dozens of teddy bears, handmade quilts and other items that St. George’s had collected to be given to a local domestic violence shelter as Christmas gifts.

Michael Cunningham, diocesan missioner for administration and mission congregations, arrived at the St. George’s soon afterward. The Diocese of Los Angeles has established a fund to help rebuild St. George’s facilities. According to Episcopal News, the diocesan news service, contribution checks may be made payable to Treasurer of the Diocese and sent in care of Mr. Cunningham, with a note in the memo line that it is for “St. George’s, Hawthorne.”

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