Fire destroys Harford County church building
A fire Wednesday morning destroyed the parish center at Holy Spirit Church in the Joppa-Magnolia area of Harford County, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Baltimore said.
Several elderly women were at the parish center, which is a separate building from the church, when the fire started at around 11:30 a.m., spokesman Sean Caine said. No injuries were reported.
Fire officials were investigating the cause. The Associated Press reported damages at $3.5 million.
Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien visited the scene and met with the Holy Spirit Pastor Joe Simmons, Caine said. Several area clergy also came to offer support.
The parish of 570 families was formed in 1963.
Associated Press photo
Comments
Terrible--I don't believe in god but I do believe that places of worship are the most architecturally beautiful that men have made and when a church, mosque or a temple burns to cinders, as this one did, a lot goes down the drain--all that craftsmanship and dedication to art, the outpouring of meticulous planning and work and the history behind it --destroyed in one fell stroke. I hope this wasn't arson--arson I loathe. It is lethal to property, humans and animals--it is vast in scope, having the sweeping reach of terrorism. I am glad no one died.
Ravensfan Anon
Posted by: Anonymous | December 16, 2009 10:47 PM
My prayers go to the congregation of Holy Spirit at this loss. So glad all the people got out safe and hope they can find the cause of the fire.
Posted by: Buck | December 17, 2009 10:34 AM
A terrible tragedy my prayers go out to the congregation of Holy Spirit. I am grateful that there are no reported injuries.
Posted by: ravensfan | December 17, 2009 11:32 AM