St. Philip’s Church Parishioners Hopeful For Future After Fire

HANKINSON, N.D. (KVRR) — At around 4:00 p.m. Monday, neighbors called 911 to report smoke coming out of a window in the west bell tower of St. Philip’s Church.

“Somebody called in and said they saw smoke coming out of that window from up there of the attic area of that church. And fire officials were on the scene pretty much within minutes. The fire was under control by 8:15 last night and they were finally able to put it out,” said Paul Braun, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Fargo.

The Hankinson Fire Department made it onto the scene and called for backup. Several surrounding communities helped put out the fire.

“It was very, very difficult to get to, according to the chief of the fire department here in Hankinson. So they had some difficult time getting that fire out eventually. And a lot of the damage that was sustained in the actual sanctuary was water and smoke damage. The ceiling did collapse on some parts of the sanctuary,” said Braun.

Several parishioners saw smoke coming from the building and rushed inside to recover several relics.

“They went inside and they were able to take out the blessed sacrament, take out some of the holy relics that were in the altar area, and also got Monsignor Donahue’s vestments before they decided not to go back in the building,” said Braun.

For Nathan Falk, this church has been an important part of life for himself and for his family.

“I grew up in the parish, baptized there, first confession, first communion, confirmed, married in .. but I expect my funeral will be here. Devastating to see but, this is a building behind me. The church is made up of the people that are in it and we’ll get through it,” said Nathan Falk, parishioner at St. Philips.

The pastors at the Lutheran Churches in Hankinson have offered space for St. Philip’s parishioners to worship…and the Sisters of St Francis Convent has offered their space as well.

“In the end is, we will recover. We’re strong, we’re very strong community, strong in faith, strong in heart, strong in work and everything so. We’re the best community to make this thing to become like a phoenix, rise out of the ashes,” said Msgr. Brian Donahue, Pastor at St. Philip’s Hankinson.

The church is nearly 115 years old and while the investigation is being conducted there is no word on when the church will reopen.

–Images and video inside the church are courtesy of the Diocese of Fargo–