St. Mary’s Parishioners Vow To Rebuild After Fire
Parishioners at St. Mary’s Polish Church in Whitney Pier are vowing to rebuild after fire destroyed the century-old church on the weekend. The fire marshal’s office is still investigating the cause of the Saturday blaze, but officials say it appears the fire was a result of work being done on the church’s roof. Everything was lost in the fire, except two exterior signs from the church. Parishioners gathered to worship at St. Michael’s Society Polish Village Hall, yesterday. However, they were told during yesterday’s mass that Holy Redeemer Church in Whitney Pier will make room for them at masses there on a temporary basis. St. Mary’s Parish council chair Tom Urbaniak says he’s confident they will rebuilt. The church had been slated for closure in 2012 by the Diocese of Antigonish, but was given an indefinite reprieve so that it could celebrate its100th anniversary last year.