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.
Despite the efforts of the fire department, the building was declared unsuitable for further use. Almost all of the windows were broken, the floor was warped and holes had been cut in the floor in order to get water on the basement timbers. The owner of the Oak Theater, J. L. Leduc, offered his facilities for use for Sunday morning church services. Daily masses and confessions took place in the parish school hall.
The church had stood at the corner of Oak and Lake Streets since 1884 and had served the Catholic community for nearly 70 years. Father Theodore Aloyusius Majerus was appointed as the first pastor. The building had been enlarged on two occasions.
Following the fire, plans for the construction of a new church building were expedited. The ruins of the old church were torn down during June of 1953 and by the following month construction of the new church was already begun. The new St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church was dedicated on June 15, 1954 by the Most Rev. Thomas L. Noa, bishop of Marquette, who delivered the sermon.
Manistique film maker and photographer, Vern Linderoth, documented the fire in the following two videos, church fire1 and church fire2. To view other films by Mr. Linderoth, please visit the You Tube Channel on our web page.