What part of "The site was unscathed by the flames after Adele Brise and others who had taken refuge there refused to leave and begged the Virgin Mary to save them" are you having trouble with?  The sentence clearly implies that the reason the church didn't burn is because of a miracle solicited by Adele Brise and granted by the Virgin Mary.  Sure looks like a religious belief being presented as fact.  I stand by my decision to remove it.