The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-03-09
LARGE FIRE In BROOKLYN.
Destruction Of tho Church Of 81. Charles Bor
romeo, sidney Place-Extensive Loss In
Paintings and Other Valuable Property
nouuce AAC.60

Destruction Of the Church Of St. Charles B0r.
romeo, sidney Place-Extensive Loss In
Paintings and Other Valuable Property
Damage S42,5OO.
All that now remains OF the neat elegant, well
known and faovrte sacred edince, St. Charles Bor-
romeo church, Sidney place, Brooklyn, around
which structure cluster SO many serene and soul
elevating associations connected with the memory
of thousands OF the faithful who for years past have
worshipped their Creator within Its haowed
walls and listened with devotional rapture
to the thrilling notes OF the superior choir
during the celebration OF the holy sacrifice OF the
mass on the Lords day, to the sweet strains OF
the vesper hymn are the backened walls and
smouldering timbers to tell of the ravages Of the
deyouring element which left nothing but o bleak
ruin.
THE FIRE
was discovered about two o'clock yesterday morn
ing by some people passing the vicinity, who fmme-
diately gave the ALARM when the City Hall bell
pcaled forth at the same moment and the fremcn
were out with their wonted aacry In response to the
summons. The cries OF "fre" aw0ke the inmates OF
the parocnal residence, which Is only separated
from the church by about twelve feet, and the pas
tor, Rev. F. J. Freei, on looking out OF the second
story windows saw the flames burst ont, seemingly,
over the heater. To hastily dress and get down
into the vestry through the side entrance
was the work OF but few moments. But
here the smoke was exceedingly dense, and rcspi
ration was, Of course, difficult. The flames ragged
with great fury about the location Of the heaters and
deaed the efforts OF the fremen to extngush them.
The first work OF the pastor was to ascend the altar
and remove the blessed sacrament which was sue
cessfully accomplished. The consecrated gold and
silver vessels were also removed, together with
several OF the ornaments. In the vestry wardrobe
were several thousand dollars worth OF sacrncial
vcstmens Of the most beautiful and costly workman
ship, the collection Of years. Through their united
exertions Rev. Fathers Free and McGvren succeeded
in causing the safe removal Of the larger portion Of
of them so as to materially impair their original
beauty. They were insured for 81, 500.
But among the most deplorable losses sustained In
the burning Of the Church OF st. Charles BorromeO
was, perhaps, the destruction OF
THE PAINTINGS
large and very superior work Of art which has for
nearly seventeen years hung Immediately over the
altar against the wall, was destroyed. This painting
cost upwards OF 81, 900 and was very much admired.
On the gospel side Of the sanctuary was pendant q
beautiful painting OF the immaculate Conception"
and on the episte side very fine painting of st.
Charles BOrrOrneO, the patron saint Of the church.
The side walls were adorned by six choice specimens
Of art OF the school OF Michael Angelo four OF which
were the evangests and the others st. Veronica and
st. Cecilia. These were worth between 600 and
81 900, and were also consumed.
A fine piece Of sculpture, representing st. Francis
OF Asssisam, which stood on the gospel side OF the
altar which cost 81 600, was also destroyed.
The organ, watch has long been regarded as one OF
S's' few years. ago There was Very choice and
valuable collection of sacred music In the choir gal
ery, which shared the fate OF the organ The latter
and the music was insured in the Niagara Insurance
Company for the sum OF s., 500 only
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
There seems to be but little doubt in regard to the
origin of the fire all who In the vicinity i'm
mediatly after the flames were discovered agreeing
that it must have originated from the heater.
enter the building after. the fire had been
discovered, states that the flames came up
There had been fire In the buildf X throughout the
dag, and confessions had been he as usual on Sat
urday night. The church was licked up by the
sexton about ten O'CLOCK he having prepared the fire
In the heaters that 1t would keep the building
comfortable for Sunday
This church has long been consider too small to
accommodate the congregation OF me parish, which
numbers about twenty-five hundred Tho building
was purchased by tho Catholics from the Epsco-
paians In 1910. At the time OF its purchase 1t was
known as the Emanuel church, ana 1t was sold on
account Of It's ncapacty to accommodate its congre
gaton.
The building was n brick structure, about thirty
feet front by one hundred feet deep. Tie only gal
lery was the organ gallery over the vestibule, and
The loss in furniture is estimated at si2 ooo
The basement OF the building was very neatly
fitted up as o schoolroom aud there was an aver
age attendance of i've hundred schola- All the
books and furniture in thu part of the Building
also burned, occastoning Il serious loss.
The loss on the building is estimated ut $4,000 on
which there was an insurance OF $4,000 in the
Mechanics Insurance Company OF Brooklyn.
LARGER EDIFICE
to supply the wants Of the people has been under
cons deration for upwards OF year. AMI the trustees
the purchase OF site for a new Building. The
spot selected Is the northeast OF Sidney place
and Livingston street, where they have purchased
seven lots OF ground. This property has been more
than half paid for. The proposed church will be Of
the pure Roman style OF architecture, and one hum
dred and thirty feet long by seventytwo feet wide
The side walls viii be fifty feet in height and The front
wall sixty feet. There are to be two berey towers
and the whole design, according to the plans and
specifications, will be both substantial and oma-
mental. There are to be accommodations for two
thousand persons In the new building.