Aug 18, 2007 7:08 pm US/Central
5-Alarm Fire Destroys Oak Cliff Church
by Tiani Jones
(CBS 11 News)
Hours after flames erupted out of St. Cecilia's Church at Mary Cliff and Davis, parishioners arrived. Some came to survey the damage, others were shocked by the news of the fire that destroyed the 74-year-old sanctuary.
"I spent the night over here, it was terrible," church administrator Humberto Dominquez said of the blaze that started shortly after 10 p.m. Friday.
Dozens of people arrived for Saturday Mass and their memories flowed.
"As a kid growing up here, it was beautiful to come in here and see the happiness of people coming and praying or worship," parishioner Anthony Torres was one of those who was in awe at the damage.
Torres said his mother brought him to St. Cecilia's as a young boy and now he attends the church with his family. He adds his children were just beginning their history with the church, which included Baptism and through Sunday School made their First Communion.
Many pews, furnishings and other religious object were destroyed or damaged by fire and smoke.
Church leaders, however, stressed Sunday Masses will be celebrated as scheduled. They said there is an important lesson to be learned it's all about the people.
"They make the church," Torres said.
Many parishioners stood near and prayed as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.
Some members of the Knights of Columbus were scheduled to provide security for the building.
Because the church roof was partly ceramic tile, officials urge people not to go into the church or onto surrounding grounds because some loose tile and other building materials are not firmly secure.
Fire officials will continue their investigation into what caused the fire. No accelerant was found when the K-9 unit searched the ruins early Saturday. There also were no visible signs of graffiti, officials said. As of 6 p.m. Saturday, it does not appear to be suspicious.
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