HUBBARD — St. Patrick Church, which suffered millions of dollars in damages from a fire on Jan. 18, has launched a campaign to raise money for needed improvements and replacement of items.

The Cafaro Foundation announced Thursday it has agreed to match all donations to the campaign up to $100,000.

The Rev. Michael Swierz, pastor of the church, said insurance will pay for things the way they were and bring them up to code, but any additional items and extra upgrades will need to come from fundraising. Swierz said the plan is to upgrade the church to meet future needs, such as improving the skylights and enlarging the kitchen area.

Swierz said the insurance reimbursement is restoring the church as it was before the fire. He said the facilities have been functionally obsolete for some time.

“It’s an opportunity to make our church building ready to meet the needs of the people for generations to come. Improving our sanctuary, restoring and improving our organ, enlarging the kitchen facilities and make much needed improvements to the church hall. It would also be wonderful to restore the original bells and erect a new bell tower,” Swierz said.

Swierz said the fundraising is to help the parish recover from the fire.

The official cause for the fire that heavily damaged the church has been listed as “undetermined.” The state fire marshal made that determination in a report released several weeks after the blaze.

The parish off North Main Street caught fire in the basement around 5:45 p.m. Jan. 18 as fire crews from several communities spent about five hours at the scene.

Eagle Joint Fire District Chief Ron Stanish said previously damage was too great to determine where the fire started. According to the fire marshal’s report, the fire started in a basement conference room, which is located next to a kitchen.

Extensive damage was done to the conference room and kitchen in the basement with smoke, water and heat damage throughout the building and some fire damage in the sanctuary on the main floor. The basement also has a boiler room and storage area.

Stanish said the building had a lot of smoke damage with soot visible on the altar, chapel area and floor. He said he was thankful no one was injured.

The fire marshal’s report estimated damage to be about $4 million. Mass is being held in the parish center next door while repairs are being done.

For information and to donate to the fundraising campaign, contact the parish office at 330-534-1928.