St. Joseph’s has suffered two devastating fires: one in 1916 and the other almost one hundred years later in 2015. Thankfully, there was only building damage and no reported injuries in either incident.

1916

On December 30, 1916 at 6:35 PM, a fire broke in the school house (parish house). The fire quickly spread, and the rectory and school/parish house were both consumed by the fire before it was extinguished. The firemen were able to save the church, but it had considerable damage including a hole in the roof, a large stained-glass window and a smaller stained-glass window were destroyed, and one side of the building was scorched.

Although insurance was sufficient to cover more than half of the reconstruction costs, Alex S. Cochran of New York, son of Mrs. W. F. Cochran (Eva Smith), supplemented the insurance funds,  enabling the parish to fully rebuild in a design similar to that prior to the fire in 1917.

2005

In 2005, an isolated fire destroyed a large gazebo. The gazebo was often used by the unhoused community as a sleeping option with protection from the elements. The parish decided to not rebuild the gazebo to prevent any future fire risks to the other buildings.

2015

On March 25, 2015, firefighters responded to smoke billowing out of the roof of the church. The entrance area of the church suffered severe damage. Firefighters were able to save 85% of the church, but the entire church suffered extensive smoke and water damage.

With the grateful assistance of church insurance and private donations, the church was masterfully restored for the next year. Funds did not cover the full restoration of the pipe organ built by Henry Erben of New York in 1857, and the parish plans to undertake this project in a future capital project.

St. Joseph’s is blessed that most of the appointments and furniture used in the church today are the same ones placed in the church prior to its consecration in 1897.

Just over one year later, St. Joseph’s was rededicated on April 17, 2016, thanks to tireless efforts of the firefighters, volunteers, donors and contractors.