Phoenix church ruined by fire starts rebuilding process with donation drive
May 2, 2019, 9:34 AM | Updated: 7:06 pm
(KTAR News Photo/Jim Cross)
(KTAR News Photo/Jim Cross)
PHOENIX – A north Phoenix church, destroyed by an early morning fire that is under investigation as possible arson, has begun a quest to rebuild.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church near 40th Street and Shea Boulevard launched an online campaign for donations to help with the project to replace the chapel several hours after fire ravaged the building around midnight Wednesday.
The note read, in part:
“In times such as this, we know our faith will carry us through this difficult time. Please pray for our parish community and our pastor, Father Reggie.
“In our strength, we will move toward our 50th anniversary as a beacon of hope and love. Please consider a donation to help us rebuild our church.”
Rusconi’s American Kitchen, a neighbor to the church for six years, will hold a fundraiser on Sunday at its restaurant near Shea and Tatum boulevards.
A portion of proceeds from brunch (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m. to close) will be donated to the church’s rebuilding.
St. Joseph’s parish has been preparing for a summertime 50th anniversary celebration but the church itself was constructed in 1972.
Fast forward to 2019, when specially trained dogs were sniffing through St. Joseph’s rubble for signs of accelerants, which would point to a fire set on purpose.
“Right now we have to go about it expecting the worst. It could be arson. It could be accidental,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
About 60 firefighters, including several from Scottsdale’s department, kept the blaze in the chapel from spreading to classrooms and other areas of the property.
The Diocese of Phoenix said in a statement there were “tentative plans to celebrate Masses somewhere on the church property this weekend.”
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.
