Print Issue: January 9, 2003

Christmas Eve Fire At St. Brendan's Rectory Doesn't Extinguish Holiday Spirit

Fire broke out in the two-story rectory of St. Brendan Church, Cumming, at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, starting in the chimney and burning through the attic, roof and the pastor's upstairs bedroom, destroying many personal items. As the Forsyth County Fire Department extinguished the flames, the parish carried on with its scheduled 10 p.m. Mass. (Photos courtesy Forsyth County News/Audra Perry) Fire that broke out in the rectory attic of St. Brendan's Church, Cumming, caused extensive smoke and water damage shown above and below. Needing more living space, parish priests hope now to convert the building when repaired into a parish center and look for new rectory property.

By Priscilla Greear, Staff Writer

CUMMING - At the 10 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve, a family who had recently lost their home by fire and had been helped in the aftermath by St. Brendan the Navigator Church worshipped in the front pew of the church, giving thanks for their lives and parish support.

St. Brendan's pastor Father Willie Hickey and parochial vicar Father Ed Danneker both had a deeper understanding of the family's loss - and a similar sense of gratitude. Barely an hour earlier, the church rectory caught fire, heavily damaging the building.

"They were in church sitting on the front row and I felt so connected with them because of that. I've walked in their shoes" now, said a subdued Father Hickey, with his Irish accent.

As Father Hickey greeted parishioners after the 8 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, a parishioner notified him that a chimney fire had broken out in the attic of the two-story St. Brendan's rectory.

The flames were extinguished by the Forsyth County Fire Department and the parish carried on, as he and Father Danneker dealt with the emergency while a visiting priest celebrated the 10 p.m. Mass.

It was by chance and a chilly evening that Father Danneker was sitting by the rectory fireplace warming his feet when the smoke detector sounded, alerting him of the bigger fire. It quickly spread through the attic and left the rafters bare while burning a large hole in the center of the roof. The flames spread into Father Hickey's bedroom, damaging many personal items including a computer and the priest's favorite books from seminary. There was extensive smoke and water damage throughout the house, and the downstairs bathroom that shared a wall with the chimney was charred. Fortunately the Christmas decorations stored in the attic were in the church, and "our presents and tree were all saved," said Father Hickey. Their table remained neatly set to have other priests over for Christmas, but the men went out to eat instead.

The pastor said that while the fire put a damper on Christmas he's still counting his blessings. "I've lost a lot of personal items and it's been somewhat emotional thinking of those losses but other than that I'm just grateful I'm alive and it didn't happen in the middle of the night. There could have been so many worse scenarios," he said. Father Danneker "had just moved in two weeks prior. Thank God he was there" or the whole building would have ignited, said Father Hickey.

He is also grateful for the quick response of the Forsyth County Fire Department, who sent a surplus of men, and of the concern and willingness to help of parishioners. As Father Hickey is friends with Msgr. Donald Kiernan, pastor of All Saints Church, he and Father Danneker spent Christmas Eve and the next few nights afterwards at that rectory. While three priests live there, the two visitors didn't suffer in sleeping bags but each had their "own suite" in the large rectory, which Father Hickey called "a nice setup." The two priests are now renting a furnished apartment near the church, while a volunteer committee formed after the fire is exploring how to move forward following the incident and raise funds for a new rectory.

The damaged rectory is insured and Catholic Mutual Insurance Company is assessing the damage in preparation to renovate the facility. Yet Father Hickey said that once repaired the building will be converted into a parish center. With an additional parish priest coming in late January, the building doesn't really have enough room. The parish also needs more meeting space. So the church will begin looking to acquire a new larger rectory, he said.

Father Hickey asks the faithful to keep the parish in their prayers as it moves forward. "There's a saying, when life deals you a lemon, make lemonade," said the pastor. "This is a great opportunity for us to find more space. That would be the (next step in) going forward."

To make a donation to rebuild the rectory, call Bill O'Brien, parish administrator, at (770) 205-7969, ext. 13.