St. Alphonsus Ligouri “Rock” Catholic Church-a historic Gothic structure noted for its exuberant services and diverse congregation-was devastated by a fire last week.
Located near Saint Louis University’s campus and frequented by some of its students, the church’s interior suffered extensive damage and is currently unusable. Efforts to repair the building have already begun, however, and the church’s parishioners and supporters have united in the face of the disaster.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the fire began after lightning struck the Rock at about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16. Flames soon engulfed the building, gutting the interior and burning through parts of the roof. The fire also destroyed one of the church’s stained glass windows.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze by 9 p.m., and the church’s solid stone walls remained unharmed. The church’s massive steeple-a fixture of the central St. Louis skyline visible from parts of SLU’s campus-also survived the conflagration.
Yesterday, a week after the fire, the Rock’s front entrance was boarded over and displayed a sign reading: “Danger, the premise is unsafe . all persons are warned to keep away.”
Windows on the first floor were also shuttered, and charred debris surrounded parts of the church. Construction workers and equipment were present and beginning repairs.
Standing just blocks north of SLU at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Cook Avenue, the Rock has been an important place of worship in the area since its dedication in 1872. Although part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the church’s priests are members of the Redemptorist order.
The Rock’s congregation is largely black, and the Sunday masses include a traditional African-American gospel choir. The priests’ sermons are often energetic and emphasize audience participation.
Gina Meyer, a SLU senior majoring in theology, first attended mass at the Rock as a sophomore. She has attended mass there about once a month ever since.
“I really liked the Rock. It’s predominantly African-American, but there are a lot of different people, and it’s very welcoming. The music is so good, and mass is really lively,” Meyer said.
Meyer introduced the Rock to several of her friends from SLU and her sister, Katie, a sophomore studying social work and women’s studies. Katie says she now attends mass at the Rock almost every Sunday.
“The people at the church were very nice and always willing to talk to me. One woman I sat next to, after hearing my family wasn’t here, even said, ‘You’re my daughter now, and you can always sit in my pew.’ It’s what a church is supposed to be like,” Katie said.
Both Katie and Gina said that they are saddened by the fire, but they agree that the misfortune will only unify and strengthen the congregation.
“It might be difficult for them to rebuild because it’s not the wealthiest church, but the parishioners love it and will do everything they can. I would also like to help in any way that I can,” Gina said.
During the repairs, the Rock will hold Sunday masses at a gymnasium near the church.
According to the Post-Dispatch, St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke has already committed $100,000 to cover the church’s insurance costs, and the parish’s pastor has vowed to rebuild.
