By Matthew Higbee
Connecticut Post Online (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
Copyright 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
SEYMOUR, Conn. — A disastrous fire spread through the walls and roof of the Seymour United Methodist Church sanctuary on Monday, potentially destroying the 19th-century architectural landmark.
The spectacle drew hundreds of spectators, including acircle of parishioners who prayed and helplessly looked on as the stubborn flames burned for more than two hours. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The witness who called in the alarm, a parishioner setting up a pumpkin patch on the front lawn, described seeing flames coming from the ceiling of the old parsonage’s office located in the building’s basement, according to Fire Marshall Paul Wetowitz. Firefighters arrived shortly before 4 p.m. to see fire shooting from the lower roof of an alcove on the side of the building, Wetowitz said. Flames had traveled up the interior of a three-story wall and into the sanctuary’s vaulted ceiling, requiring thousands of gallons of water before it was finally extinguished about 6 p.m.
A more recent addition to the church, which housed meeting rooms and children’s programs, suffered only smoke damage, Wetowitz said. But the old sanctuary, with a fleur-de-lis embossed ceiling, curved oak pews and baroque pipe organ, will require significant resources to salvage. “There is very significant water damage,” Wetowitz said. The church was built in 1891 by a parish that formed in 1791. It was the parish’s third church on the site, and the most magnificent, decorated with stained glass windows imported from Italy, according to William Hissey, a church trustee. “They were irreplaceable,” said Hissey, looking on as firefighters smashed axes through many of the arched panes. “The insurance company will not insure them for their full value.”
Hissey and his wife, Janet, were in tears as they watched the smoke pour from the roof. The couple met through the church youth programs. The sanctuary was where they exchanged their vows and watched the baptisms of their children. In recent years, they helped raise money for a new roof and other improvements. “We grew up here. It’s been a very important part of our lives,” Hissey said. “We’ve put a great deal of effort into its maintenance.”
Firefighters from Ansonia, Oxford, and Beacon Falls responded to assist Seymour volunteers. Seymour Assistant Fire Chief Scott Andrews, the commander on the scene, said vaulted ceiling and hidden alcoves made the fire difficult to access and contain.
“Church fires are the worst,” Andrews said. Pastor Joan Krawchick said the parish was undergoing a resurgence, tripling its numbers to about 150 people the past four years. Though it was too early to decide whether to restore or replace the sanctuary, Krawchick said the parish had the strength to survive. She even pointed to a divine signal. Just as flames engulfed the cupola in the center of the roof, a rainbow arched high over the church. “God said trust in me,” Krawchick said. “It was a beautiful sign of God’s providence that we will rebuild.” Ten minutes later, with the flames finally out, firefighters emerged from the charred building carrying soggy Bibles, a half-dozen hymnals and donation plates.
Great Hill Methodist Church has offered the use of its church to the United Methodist congregation. United Methodist services will take place at noon Sunday.