Fire damages historic Chicago cathedral

(RNS) A fire broke out Wednesday (Feb. 4) at the 134-year-old Holy Name Cathedral in downtown Chicago, causing extensive damage but sparing the sanctuary. The fire started around 5:30 a.m., and was officially declared extinguished at 8 a.m., according to the Chicago Tribune. Church officials said there is fire damage to the roof and the […]

(RNS) A fire broke out Wednesday (Feb. 4) at the 134-year-old Holy Name Cathedral in downtown Chicago, causing extensive damage but sparing the sanctuary.

The fire started around 5:30 a.m., and was officially declared extinguished at 8 a.m., according to the Chicago Tribune. Church officials said there is fire damage to the roof and the attic, and extensive water damage inside the cathedral, according to the Associated Press.

Jimmy Lago, the chancellor of the archdiocese, told the Tribune that he expects the cathedral to be closed for months. Cardinal Francis George confirmed with the newspaper that the roof will have to be rebuilt.


The fire started in the attic, and although the cause has not yet been determined, Lago told the Tribune that work was being done with deteriorating wood in the rafters, and a worker was present when the fire broke out.

Some priests and nuns were inside the cathedral as well, but there were no injuries, the newspaper reported.

Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford told the newspaper that the floor around the altar was flooded with several inches of water, although the altar itself was not damaged. The sprinkler system in the sanctuary had activated, and water was falling from the ceiling where the flames had been concentrated.

Lago told reporters that sacramental records secured in a fireproof vault in the cathedral’s rectory are believed to be safe.

George entered the cathedral shortly after 8 a.m. and said the sanctuary initially appeared undisturbed, but a closer look revealed icicles on the pews and water trickling from the roof onto the lights, according to the newspaper.

`’My first thought was the cathedral parish has suffered very much. It’ll bounce back,” George said.


A fire in 1871 destroyed the original Holy Name Church, and the cornerstone for the present cathedral was laid on July 19, 1874, according to the Tribune.

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