On Christmas Day

It looks like the historic All Saints Church in Whitby will be saved despite the devastating fire eleven days ago.



Recent reports are that the walls and steeple are stable. The salvageable stained glass has been removed and preparations are being made to cover the roof that was destroyed with a temporary structure. Last night's news stated they'd like to be back by Easter, 2011.

In the meantime, another local church is providing space to them, and donations covered all of the hampers for the needy that were also lost.

Arson is still suspected, but has not been officially confirmed.

Here is a nice Flickr set of the church, both before and after.

Fire destroys church in Whitby

All Saints Anglican is on Dundas St. in Whitby, not far from where my PMI meetings take place. In fact, I turned right at the corner where it stands on Saturday. The building is over 140 years old. Early this morning, it was gutted by a fire that looks to be deliberately set.

Some very dramatic video of the fire to be seen here.

I may eventually go by to see the damage. This is the worst kind of ruin of all--death by neglect or accident has a slightly romantic veneer to it, but purposeful destruction of a building cherished by its people is a tragedy.