‘Hard to just stand and watch;’ Fire engulfs, destroys Catholic church built in 1891

MERCER COUNTY — People said, “It was tough to watch” when the steeple of a historic Catholic church collapsed from a fire Thursday.

>>PHOTOS: Smoke, flames pour from large fire at local Catholic church

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As reported on News Center 7 Daybreak, people are heartbroken and wondering if the church can be repaired.

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Crews were called to the fire at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein around 2:30 p.m., according to Joe Hartings, Chickasaw Volunteer Fire Department fire chief.

As previously reported by News Center 7, workers on the roof were placing shingles when they saw smoke and called 911, Hartings said.

Around 7 p.m., the steeple of the church collapsed.

News Center 7’s cameras were rolling when the church’s steeple crumbled in the flames.

Hershovitz said the fire was so massive that help was called from nearly 20 other departments.

“It’s definitely hard to just stand and watch even though there’s not much else you can do,” said Brad Spettel. “You feel a little but helpless knowing this is the church I got married in and this was where two of my kids were baptized.”

“It is an old, beautiful church, and a lot of people come to this church, said Kevin Schlater. ”It’s sad to see it in this condition.”

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati released a statement stating they were “deeply saddened” by the destruction the fire caused.

We are working to learn how much damage the fire caused.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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