FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, FEBRUARY 22, 2026
On February 16, 1899 at approximately 9 PM, a fire began on the south side of Market Street in the Emerson Shoe Company between 12th and 13th Streets. Soon a six story building was ablaze and several businesses were being destroyed including a drug store, upholstery manufacturer and a wholesale liquor store. February 16 was a freezing cold night with high winds and blizzard conditions. The fire spread rapidly and soon Saint John's rectory was ablaze.
Chemicals exploded in one of the Market Street buildings and a rear wall collapsed on Ludlow Street, killing three firemen, William J. Chance, 32, Hugh Duffy, 44, and George W. Steinle, 38. Two weeks later, James J Shea, 41 died of pneumonia which he contracted while fighting the fire.
At first it seemed that Saint John's Church was spared. There was a foot of snow on the church roof which seemed to have prevented the fire from affecting the church. The fire was extinguished and the priests went to the cathedral rectory for the night. However, sparks from the fire did ignite the church. When the sextons went to open the church at 5 AM, they saw flames on the ceiling. The fire had begun above the ceiling and under the tin roof. The firefighters returned and attempted to drag hoses up the towers, but by then the smoke was too heavy.
At 6 AM, the roof timbers collapsed and in an instant, the stained glass windows, the altars and the statues were destroyed, with the exception of the marble statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Water ran down the walls and the center aisle became a black river of soot and water which flooded 13th Street. The rectory was destroyed and the church was in shambles.
However, the complete survival of the Blessed Mother statue was seen as miraculous and a sign of hope. In thanksgiving for the sparing of the beautiful statue, the people created a remarkable gold and jeweled crown, crafted from donations of the parishioners' jewelry to adorn the head of the statue. That crown was taken in a burglary in January, 2025 and has not been recovered.
People pray to the Blessed Mother in front of the statue that was spared in 1899. But the real miracle of 1899 concerns the many brave firefighters who risked their lives and the four who gave their lives to protect the lives and property of others. Saint John's is a holy place for many reasons. People have been praying in our church and finding union with God in this sacred place for 196 years. One of the most significant reasons why Saint John's is holy is because four men died protecting this holy church.
We are committed at Saint John's that the sacrifices of the slain firefighters will never be forgotten. Each year we offer Mass for them and for all firefighters. Please join us this year on Saturday, February 28 at 10 AM.
