Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1913-11-15
Father Thomas York Reaches
the Altar and Saves Sacred
Vessels.
Fire Ragged Two Hours and De-
YOURS the Work of
Years.
LOSS WILL REACH THOUSANDS

Catholics and citizens generally
were given a terrible shock Tuesday
evening when the news spread that
st. Paul's church on Jackson street,
between st. Catherine and Kentucky,
o. which the Rev. Thomas York is the
beloved and hard working pastor,
was in flames and threatened with
destruction. The fire ragged for nearly
two hours, doing damage that will
fell between $1,000 and $4,000. Its
origin has not yet been learned, but
| H. is believed sparks from the fur
mace in some manner ignited the
oodwork. The church was valued
at over SIS, 900, and the loss is only
partly covered by insurance.
Father York and Henry T. Brown,
neighbor. were talking in the front
yard of the priests residence when
they noticed smoke issuing from the
belfry, at the same time flames
bursting through the roof. An alarm
of fire was turned in from the nearest
Telephone while Father York made
heroic effort and succeeded in reach
! ing the altar and in saving the host
and sacred vessels. Ele was able to
make but the one trip, the smoke and
intense heat driving him out. Mr..
Brown also displayed great heroism
and succeeded in saving a number of
articles. Before the flames were sub
dued they invaded the sanctuary and
destroyed the altar and the handsome
and valuable statuary that added to
It's beauty.
When Assistant Fire Chief Cassin
arrived on the scene with the No. 3
truck he saw the seriousness of the
blaze and sounded second alarm,
summoning a number of additional
engines and the No. 2 truck BY hard
ork the firemen prevented the COM
plete destruction of the church after
la fight of nearly two hours, witnessed
| by several hundred persons who had
gathered from surrounding homes.
Father York has made a grand
struggle for st. Paul's congregation
his efforts being crowned with success
and the church being rapidly freed
from debt The loss will fall heavi%
Upon him and his people, as 1t wipes
out the labor of years. There is some
&C nsolation, however, in the fact that
the rectory and school house that adj
jcined the church edifice escaped the
flames. For Father York there is
felt the most sincere sympathy by his
brother priests and the laity gen.
orally. Wednesday many called upon
him to speak words of encouragement
and from all quarters came messages
that will help him recover from the
blow that would have prostrate1
many stronger men.
! What steps will be taken to repair
the damage have not yet been de-
Icided, but tomorrow the congregation
will worship in st. Philip Neri's
church, Floyd and Woodbine, Father
Ackermann having generously ten
dered the use of his church until
Father York and his people can re-
turn to st. Paul's. The masses for
81. Philip Neri's congregation will
be at and 10:45 o'clock, and for
ST. Paul's at 8:15 and 10 o'clock,
the evening services for both congre-
cations to be held at 1880 o'clock.
Father York and the Trustees will
most likely decide their course within
the next few days, and the Kentucky
Irish American calls upon the people
of Louisville to lend them all the
assistance in their power.