The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-05
FIRE DESTROYS CHURCH.
ST. MIcHAEL'S EDIFIcE COM
 PLETELF GUTTED.

Damage O,OOO-In.ur.nes ss5.OOO- Chief Fanchsr in Doubt as to causs- wnI Thoroughly Invs.tigass-One Fireman slightly Hurt-others Have Narrow Escapes.
 One Of the worst fires which has oc- cured in this city in some time totally destroyed St. Michaers church in Wooster Square yesterday morning, the damage amounting to about S30,0O0. Chief Fancher in discussing the matter stated last evening that he had no idea how the fire started. but he did not seem to think that it was of incendiary origin.
 Owing to the extreme cold it was ex- ceedingly difficult and dangerous for the fremen to work, many of theme being nearly frozen. Several Of the fremen had narrow escapes, also from falling timbers. Lieutenant Martin Fleming of No. As house was the only one hurt, however. He was struck by some of the falling timbers from the tower He was taken to the New Haven hospital in the police ambulance. On his arrival there it was found that he was not badly injured, the only thing the matter with him being some scratches about the head and body. He was sent to his home at 19 Leonard street yesterday af- ternoon.
 Brother Ponata, who is seventy-two years old, is employed about the church. He was an Italian monk, but now lives at the church, doing work there.
 Yesterday morning Brother Ponata shortly after o'clock was in the church when some one rushed into the parson- age which is in the rear of the church, and shouted that the church was on fire. Father Marenghino telephoned to the ! fire department and then went into the church, taking the fire alarm box kep with him. The flames were at that time blazing through the Christmas trees, which had been used in the Sunday schools.
 Father Marenghino rang the fire alarm box at Greene street and wooster Square.
 Chies Fancher had responded to the still alarm and as soon as he saw that the flames reached from the seats to the roof in the front of the church he turned in a second alarm. The ap- paratus experienced great trouble in getting to the fire. because of the drifts of snow
 Father Marenghino went back into the church and pulled out the church property, including chalic, robes, etc.
 He locked the church safe and was still getting church property when the police and firemen went into the church and dragged him out.
 Besides Father Marenghino and Brother Tomato there were in the par- sonage Father Alussi and woman who cooks and cares for the parson- age. They left the parsonage by the side door.
 A brick wall separates the church from the parsonage. although>tfie are under the same roof
 The fire burned along under the roof, sSz1ng the belfry about 10:S0 o'clock, 'aa's55f an hour after the fremen had ar rived.
 or the church itself only the four walls are left standing. The parsonage in the rear was so badly flooded with water that the loss will be large
 The house to the south of the church which is occupied by James F. Malone, Of the Charles w. Whittlesey Co., and Lewis Stetson, Of Sargent & Co.,, was continually in danger. The occupants were ordered from the building. Tim bers falling from the cupola broke win- dows on the side of the house.
 St Michaels church was formerly the First Baptist, and was built many years ago. It was burned to the ground once before
 The Italian Catholics bought the ~schErth in 1897. Paul Russo and Joseph Po1i, now deceased, acted as the com mittee and paid $25,00O. Since then $4,- 900 has been expended in renovating. The church was insured by MT. Russo for s25,000. divided between the Spring Garden, the German and the Madgezurg companies.
 The church records were saved by Father Marenghino.
 The fremen appeared more like ice men from somewhere near the North pole. Residents nearby passed coffee and sandwiches to the firemen, and Chief Fancher stated last evening that he wished to thank these neighbors for their kindness