Four years ago, when lightning struck the roof of St. John’s, Quincy, the mother church of the Diocese of Quincy, the ensuing fire destroyed the roof and much of the nave, but turned out to be a blessing in disguise in some ways. The investigation afterward uncovered numerous structural problems with the historic 1852 building, including termite damage so extensive that a 40 mile-per-hour wind could have caused some walls to collapse.

Later, during reconstruction, other serious problems such as bowed walls became apparent. These and other problems prolonged the $5 million construction project by an additional two years. Throughout that time the congregation met for worship in the parish hall, which was undamaged by the fire.

“At times, the rebuilding was a painful process,” junior warden Ben Miller, told The Quincy Herald-Whig. “But we put our faith in God and (today) is going to be a glorious day.

Senior warden Don Gnuse agreed with Mr. Miller. In the 72 years he has worshiped at St. John’s, Mr. Gnuse could not recall a larger attendance. Every seat in the 385-seat nave was filled and more than 100 temporary seats were added for Aug. 27 rededication and consecration. The Bishop of Quincy, the Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, SSC, joined with the rector, the Rev. H.W. “Sandy” Herrmann, in celebrating the rebirth of St. John’s.

“We were able to maintain the historic exterior while improving on the interior,” Fr. Herrmann told the Herald-Whig. “This is now a 21st-century, user-friendly church.”

The long-awaited day was a bittersweet one for Fr. Herrmann. Earlier this year, after 11 years at St. John’s, he accepted a call to be rector of St. David of Wales in Denton, Texas. Fr. Herrmann elected to stay on at St. John’s until the completion of the building project. The Rev. Jim Derbyshire’s first Sunday as interim rector will be Sept. 3.

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