1908 Fire, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
  Histories
The Night the Churches Burned
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin


last modified:

11 Nov 2001


St. Joseph Church destroyed by fire in 1908. [Note that church faced Marr St.]


Congregation Church destroyed by fire 1908
Returns  
Return to


TO HOLD CHURCH IN THE ARMORY
Temporary Quarters for St. Joseph’s Congregation
SAVE THE SACRED ARTICLES
Rev. M. J. Taugher Tells of Great Fire – Church Blazes While the Priests Work to Save

With the ruins of St. Joseph’s church still smoldering and cracking, arrangements were made by Rev. M. J. Taugher for the continuation of worship and accordingly Armory E was engaged for the services tomorrow.

Masses will be said at 7:30 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and 10:30 o’clock on an Improvised altar in the Armory. It will be a sorrowful gathering of St. Joseph’s congregation for the lamentable catastrophe Friday night is keenly fit. For twenty-three years Rev. M J Taugher has led St. Joseph’s congregation in the arduous work of completing and paying for the church.

From year to year improvements were made, and it is only recently that the congregation finished paying for the handsome new pipe organ purchased a few years ago. The church was in fine condition. Its huge arched ceiling beautifully decorated and painted upon its finely appointed altars and furnishings fed the angry flames until nothing is left but blackened ruins – the deepest contrast that could be made in that short apace of time.

Sacrament Is Removed

Rev. M J Taugher was seated upon the porch of his residence this morning viewing the destroyed scene of his labors. “It is one of the greatest sorrows of my life,” he said. “For twenty-three years the congregation and myself have worked hand in hand with a common object in view. Only a few weeks ago we planned to give a church fair in order that more of the church debt might be liquidated.

“The blessed sacrament was saved as well as many of the vestments kept in the church,” continued Father Taugher. “I was awakened by an oppressive feeling about my chest. When I was aroused there was a glare in my room, and I heard the muffled reports of explosions and the rumbling of the flames. I looked out the window and the street was ablaze with light. I must have been asleep for about an hour.

“Father Gabriel came down stairs almost at the same time I awoke. We started to go out the front door and were forced back by the flames. Then we went out the back way and up into the church. As we turned to enter the chapel door of the church we saw Mrs. Mayham’s residence flare up. Once inside the church I saw that the windows on Second street were open and I thought I would go over and close them. When I put my hand out to close the window I found that it was so hot that I could not touch it. I managed to get the first window closed.

“When I reached the second window I found the window still burning. I turned and shouted to Father Gabriel that the church was on fire. We realized the danger to the Sacred Host and we immediately hurried to the altar and took the chalice out of the tabernacle. I also gathered together some of the blessed vestments and piled them up, so that they could be carried out. In my haste I failed to save my private chalice which was in the repository at the Blessed Virgin’s altar.

Taken From Parsonage

“We removed the host to the parsonage,” said Father Taugher, “and as the flames drew nearer we were forced to move the host the second time, and this time we placed it in the residence of Mrs. M. Mangan, where it will remain until the services tomorrow. The fire was dreadful. No one can tell the anxiety and fear that beset us all. It is a terrible calamity, but we must remain strong, firm, and courageous. There is everything to do now. New labors confront us upon all sides.

“The services will be held at the armory tomorrow, but next week we will make some permanent arrangements for our accommodation until we can rebuild.”

Lost Clothes

Father Taugher lost all his wearing apparel, but with the assistance of volunteers he was able to save a goodly share of his household effects from damage. The roof of the residence is demolished, while the interior of the house was drenched by the streams used in an effort to save it from destruction.

Crowds Visit Ruins

Thousands of people visited the ruins of St. Joseph’s church and the parsonage today, as well as the ruins of the Crescent garage.