“While the damage is severe, the restoration specialists were also hopeful that more could be salvaged than what appears,” Schnipke said. “They are also hopeful that, with the way the church roof collapsed inside and the spire tilted south, the integrity of the walls may not have been compromised.”
Schnipke added it will be a “long and difficult process.”
While the church is being restored, Schnipke said masses will likely be held at Precious Blood.
He voiced his appreciation for those around the country who have supported the church.
“In a way, we are reaching out to the ends of the earth as the ends of the earth reach out to help us. And as Archbishop Casey said, that makes us church,” he said.
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St. Jon the Baptist Catholic Church (iWitness7 viewer/ Megan Wuebker)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fire (iWitness7/ Megan Wuebker)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fire
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fire
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fire (iWitness7/ Megan Wuebker)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fire (iWitness7/ Megan Wuebker)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fire (iWitness7/ Megan Wuebker)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fire (iWitness7/ Megan Wuebker)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (iWitness7)
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (iWitness7)
Steeple continues to burn after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Steeple continues to burn after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Steeple continues to burn after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Steeple continues to burn after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Church Fire Maria Stein
Parts of steeple fall after fire
Steeple collapses after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Steeple collapses after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Steeple collapses after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Steeple collapses after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Steeple collapses after fire rips through historic Catholic church
Fire at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Fire at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Fire at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Church fire
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
St. John the Baptist Church Fire Aftermath (John Bedell)
