Smoke billows out the doors and windows of the church. Vern Linderoth Photo
Plans were already underway for a new church building when the fire broke out in the basement of the St. Francis de Sales church on April 29, 1953. The fire was discovered at 9:00 a.m. near a wood furnace by church custodian Dencil Young. A day dreaming student looking out the window of the parish elementary school next door also sounded an alarm when he noticed smoke coming from a basement window of the church. Both the Manistique Fire Department and the Volunteer Fire Department responded quickly to the blaze and the fire was brought under control by noon. The flames were extinguished before they could reach the sanctuary, but the building was extensively damaged. All of Manistique’s fire fighting equipment was engaged in fighting the fire, including the 1883 Dodge Brothers hook and ladder truck and the American LaFrance. A fire truck from the Gladstone fire department was called out and stood by as a precaution in case fire broke out elsewhere in the city. It was feared for a time that the rectory of the church was in peril and Rev. Fr. Frances Scheringer and Rev. George Pernaski were advised to remove personal belongings and furnishings as a precaution.