Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Harvard IL (Missouri Synod)

THANK YOU to Everyone who Assisted in our Fire Recovery!

Our deepest thanks and appreciation go out to everyone who assisted in any way with our fire recovery ... from the laborers who did the reconstruction, to those who directed and supervised them, to those who served meals or donated for the lunches, to the members who gave financially and of their prayers, to the churches and people around the country who lifted us up in prayer, and to the Harvard community and businesses who assisted in many ways. To ALL of you, THANK YOU -- and may GOD BLESS you!

PICTURES ARE BELOW THE NARRATIVE

Dear Friends, Family and Members of St. Paul Harvard:

There was a fire at our church on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.   Let me tell you what happened:

The alarm was received by the Harvard FD at about 7:47 AM; I received the call a few minutes later and immediately went to the scene.  The roof over the altar area had visible flames when I arrived and the whole building was in serious danger.  The Harvard FD was instantly on the scene.  There is a hydrant in front of the building, but I am told they were not able to open it or the next nearest one so water had to be trucked in. Departments from Walworth WI, Woodstock, Boone County, Marengo, and others supported. 

The fire services were EXCELLENT.  Not only did they get the fire knocked back quickly, they showed great concern for the house of God.  While battling the flames they still took care to cover the altar, pulpit, lectern, organ, and baby grand piano with tarps -- AND they carried to safety the altar paraments, choir robes, my vestments and stoles. 

At this point we were thanking God, for the damage was primarily limited to the area behind the altar (the sacristy, working sacristy, etc.) and the sanctuary was in very good shape - as was the rest of the building (minor smoke damage only). Unfortunately, God had other plans -- although we still thank Him.  Over the course of the afternoon hours the roof line continued to flare up in an area extremely difficult to reach and the fire department was called back several times.  As a result of the firemen doing what they needed to do, our sanctuary received extensive water damage ... as did the Parish Hall underneath.

At this point the sanctuary and parish hall were unusable.  Work to be done before we can rededicate the church will be: Replace the sanctuary ceiling, reupholster the pews, replace the carpet, repair and reshingle the sanctuary roof. The parish hall will need a new ceiling, carpet, lights, and stage. This means we will be unable to fully use our building for worship for a while (although the offices and classrooms are all available). 

And yet, GOD IS GOOD!  At my house that first night we had a combined meeting of the church council and board of elders and began it by singing the Common Doxology: "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow."  We have excellent insurance coverage, and while we don't know yet the details of the weeks to come, we know by God's grace it will draw us closer together as a family of faith.

One request: Keep the members of St. Paul Lutheran Church Harvard in your thoughts and prayers -- and Give God the Glory!  As my chairman continually reminded me on that day, the Church isn't just a building -- and as someone else told me: "The Church is what's left when the building burns down."

Truly, God is good -- and we have great people here, also!

Rev. Michael D. Pfingsten
Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Harvard IL
April 15, 2010

This picture was taken Easter morning ... just 2 days before the fire.

This picture is from the Northwest Herald

This picture is from the Northwest Herald

 

This picture with the firemen is from the Chicago Tribune

Pastor took this picture when he first got on the scene.

Many fire departments were on the scene; all were fantastic in limiting the damage

The organ speakers in the area where the fire started (behind the altar)

 

 

 

Just one week later, the sanctuary is gutted and getting ready to be made good as new for God!

Thursday, April 29 - Still getting the Parish Hall ready for the weekend's worship

Sunday, May 2 -- Ready for the first service back in the building!

August 15 - the Rededication Service

How the Sanctuary looked AFTER reconstruction

View towards the back (sound booth on the left)

Inside the sound booth

Typical Lutheran Pot-Luck spread for the meal -- WAY too much food!

Display tables with cloth and carpet samples