Southern Nebraska Register
A fire at Sacred Heart Church in Lawrence caused extensive damage to the building Oct. 12.
The damage came when the parish was just weeks away from completing a major renovation project of the church. It had been planned to conclude before the 100th anniversary of the church in 2024.
A parishioner discovered smoke in the sanctuary after opening up the building around 5:45 a.m. Oct. 12. The fire department was called immediately and arrived on the scene within minutes. There was heavy smoke damage to the interior of the church, and a hole in the floor of the main church areas. The pews had been removed as part of the renovation, so they were not damaged.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. There is no cost estimate yet of the damage to the church.
“It is so unfortunate. Their renovations were almost complete,” said Bishop James Conley of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln. “Thanks be to God nobody was hurt and it was discovered early in the morning and the church was saved.”
The brick church is 85 feet by 45 feet, and seats 500. The apex of the roof is 75 feet off the ground and two bell towers stand nearly 90 feet tall.
The first Mass was celebrated in the parish in 1893, and the existing church was dedicated Dec. 18, 1924.
For the immediate future, parishioners can attend Mass at either of Sacred Heart’s two mission parishes, St. Stephen Parish in Lawrence or Our Lady of Assumption in Deweese.
Masses will be celebrated at St. Stephen Church at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. The winter Mass schedule will go into effect the weekend of Oct. 28-29, and Masses will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. Sunday at St. Stephen.
Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Assumption is celebrated at 10 a.m.
Sacred Heart Parish Altar Society’s annual fall festival will still be held Saturday, Nov. 4. It will be held at the American Legion in Lawrence from 5 to 7 p.m. The meal includes either smoked pork chops or roast beef. Tickets are $15 per adult, $10 per child (K-12), $5 for children in preschool and younger.
The Altar Society will donate all proceeds from the event to the “Restore the Heart” campaign for church renovations.
