The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-16
HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
DESTROYED BY FIRE
Handsome Edifice of Minneap-
oils Is Badly Damaged
by Flames


Holy Rosary church. one of the larg-
est Catholic edifices in the west, was
partially destroyed by fire yesterday
morning. The entire interior of the
handsome sandstone structure was
burned and only the walls remain.
The loss will be in the vicinity of
$65.O0O.
The structure was located on Eigh-
teenth avenue south and Twenty
fourth sta ct, just across the avenue
from the South Minneapolis high
school, and there was some excitement
among the students of this institution
when the fire was discovered about
1890, but all the pupils marched out
of the building and no one was in
iured.
Other Buildings Saved
The other buildings belonging to the
parish, the monastery, school and DOR
mitory, We're saved, although the work
of the fire department was made diff
ficult by the high wind and the freez-
ing temperature.
49, Father J. D. Fowler discovered the
fire when the flames began to leap
through the windows of the church,
and sought to enter the auditorium
but was driven out. The fire depart
ment was handicapped because large
portion of the apparatus was at work
on the Lincoln school fire, but it was
not long before a dozen streams of
water were brought to bear on the
flames
When it was seen that the building
was doomed, the department turned its
attention to the handsome spire. and.
despite great odds, succeeded in saving
it. The heavy doors We're burned away
and several times the flames leaped up
the narrow stairway, but the firemen
subdued them before any great dam
age was done.
Back Of the church and connected
with it by a narrow passage was the
monastery, the school and dormitory.
but by strenuous work the firemen sue
ceeded in saving them.
Roof Falls in an Hour
1t was less than an hour from the
time the fire was discovered before the
roof fell in and it was impossible to
make an effort to save any of the valu-
able furniture in the auditorium. The
expensive altar furnishings We're de-
stroyed, and there is nothing left of the
organ.
The burned church was the property
of the Dominican Fathers. The struc-
ture was erected and dedicated in 1889
and cost nearly 100000. It was built
of sandstone and beautifully decorated
within. The most regrettable feature
of the fire is the destruction of the
costly furnishings which were installed
a few weeks ago.
At the time the church was erected
a monastery and school were erected.
The Dominican order of priests is the
only one in the Middle West and as
soon as the building. was completed
they took charge Of it, and have con-
Quoted the church and school ever
since. The parish had a membership
of at least 500 families. 1t is not a
wealthy parish but steps win be taken
to rebuild the burned church at once.
The property was insured for $4,000,
and this was divided as follows: On
the church, $4,000: on the organ,
$4,000; on the vestments, $4,000.
The fire is believed to have been
caused by defective electric wiring in
the church building.
The insurance on the Holy Rosary
church was placed as follows: Ma
tional, of Hartford, 5000; Security.
of New Haven, $4,000; New Hamp-
shire, $4,000; National Union, of Pitts
burg, $4,000; st. Paul Fire and Marine,
Royal Exchange, $4,000; American, of
Pennsylvania, $4,000; Spring Garden,
$4,000; Phoenix, of London, $4,000;
Phoenix, of Hartford, $4,000; Phoenix.
of Brooklyn, $4,000; Westchester, 81
500 Northern, of London, $4,000;
Aetna, $4,000; Agricultural, $4,000:
Mechanics, $500.