The Rev. Michael Swierz, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Hubbard, inside the church which is undergoing extensive remodeling since a January fire caused $5 million in damage to the interior. Staff photo / Bob Coupland

HUBBARD — When fire caused extensive damage to St. Patrick Parish, the congregation knew it had to adapt and continue, and it has done so for the past five months as church renovations take place.

The Rev. Michael Swierz, pastor, said the Martin Luther King Jr. Day fire started on the lower level of the parish, tearing through the entire downstairs and getting to the main sanctuary floor. The church had between $4 million and $5 million in smoke and fire damage, he said.

Masses and other events have been held in the nearby parish center, which can hold more than 400 people. A few larger events have taken place at Hubbard High School’s auditorium, such as the Easter worship service.

Swierz said parish members have faithfully attended worship service since the fire.

The congregation is so appreciative to the local community and to other communities that have helped with their prayers, contributions, support and encouragement, said Deacon John Bartos.

“I think everyone in the community will be overjoyed when we reopen next year since everyone has helped in some way to support the project and show support to the church,” Bartos said.

Bartos said he has been amazed how strong the congregation has been in working through this difficult time.

“The parishioners of the church have been amazing. Not only have they provided support but so have people in the community. People have been rallying behind our church,” Bartos said.

MUCH TO DO

As church renovation work continues, plans are to have the project completed by early 2022. Availability of materials and items needing to be ordered have taken longer because of the pandemic, Swierz noted.

“We had thought it may get done by the end of this year but with having to order items and with COVID-19, everything was delayed. What has happened is everything had to be cleaned extensively. Tiles and other items have been taken out of the basement. All the smoke damage has been cleaned up so we can get in here and do repair work,” he said.

Many of the pews have been taken out and restored. Items were taken out of the kitchen, as well as tables, piano, organ and chairs, and lights were taken down. Pieces are being stored in a warehouse in Wheatland, Pa.

“Everything is out of the building as the work is being done. We had to take things down in the sanctuary because of the smoke damage,” Swierz said.

Work has included repairs to the walls, floor and ceilings.

The tabernacle was able to be removed and saved, Swierz said.

“We were fortunate to be able to save items. The main part of the church is good in the sanctuary,” he said, noting the stained glass windows were cleaned and look fine.

Ben Kyle, a member of the church with his family, said he and many of the families in the congregation have been able to adapt to the changes.

“One of the biggest things I have noticed is a sense of community since the fire happened. Everyone has rallied behind St. Patrick Parish and has been able to adapt in whatever ways we had to,” Kyle said.

He said the parish center was quickly able to be adapted for the new place of worship and other church events.

“Everyone has been very patient and understands what needs to take place before we can move back in,” Kyle said.

He said while the fire and the damage was overwhelming at first, the congregation is now excited and looking forward to how the sanctuary will come back.

“It is in a way what Father Swierz has said of ‘Rising from the Ashes.’ There is some level of enthusiasm as the project moves forward. The church is a pillar of the Hubbard community and people have rallied behind us,” Kyle said.

Brianna Jukes of Hubbard, who has been a member for two years, said she has always been told it is not just the building that makes a church but the people who come there.

“It has been reassuring to know we have received so much love and support from the community. The people here have a strong faith that we can get through this. This brought everyone together,” Jukes said.

Jukes said the congregation looks forward to being back in the church in 2022.

FULL OF HOPE

Church officials have said they worked with architects in making plans for the renovation and repair work inside.

Swierz said there was very little exterior damage.

First Onsite Properties Restorations of Texas is the general contractor doing most of the work, but various other companies are handling different aspects of the project, such as electrical and flooring.

Swierz said no one was hurt in the fire. A beam that is supporting the main room is leaning, but the frame of the inside of the sanctuary is still there and not collapsed.

The Cafaro Foundation donated $100,000 and asked others to match or donate to help rebuild the church. The theme Swierz chose to rebuild is, “A future full of hope.”

“The insurance will pay for the church as it was, but we need to come up with the funds so we can make additional upgrades for the future with technology and improving different things in the church, especially a bigger kitchen. … We want it to become much more,” he said.

“Things we may want to put in the church, or change things, the church will have to take care of that,” he said.

The fire is believed to have originated in the parish basement but an exact cause has not been determined. The State Fire Marshal lists it as “undetermined.”

Swierz credits the fire department for doing a great job in handling the fire quickly.

REDEDICATION

He said the parish will have its annual summer festival and car raffle in early August while the work continues.

When the entire project is completed, Swierz said a rededication celebration will be held for the community.

“We have received so much support and prayers from not only all over the Hubbard community and the parish members and their families, but from other communities and different churches. It has touched all of our hearts,” Swierz said.

“We have had so many letters, cards, and donations from all around the country, from our Catholic churches here in the Valley, many of them have donated to us, and even non-Catholic churches had special collections to help us.”

Youngstown Diocese Bishop David Bonnar has provided encouraging words that have helped everyone get through the first five months.

Bonnar, who had just started as the new bishop for the Diocese of Youngstown days before the fire, was at the scene the evening of the blaze.

“Buildings can be repaired, and the church is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s the people of God, and we are seeing that here tonight. The people are all out here just showing their love and affection for the church and for this parish community,” Bonnar said the night of the fire.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com