A fire caused significant damage to Saint Edmund Church in Queens on the eve of Easter, impacting the Breezy Point community ahead of the holiday. The blaze, which started shortly before 2 p.m. on Holy Saturday, led to a response from over 100 fire and EMS personnel. According to ABC7NY, two firefighters sustained minor injuries while combatting the flames.
The church was heavily damaged by smoke and flames, with pews burned and soot covering much of the interior. However, key religious icons, including a statue of Jesus and a crucifix, were not affected, remaining intact for the congregation. Parishioners watched as the firefighters rescued these items amidst the destruction. "It's the holiest season there is in the Catholic Church and it's devastating for it to happen," Pat McCarthy, a parishioner, told ABC7NY.
Considering the timing of the fire, no mass was scheduled during the incident; however, parish members had been in the church earlier that day preparing for the Sunday service. While the building's structure remained intact, parishioners are forced to redirect their Easter worship to two other churches within the Blessed Trinity Parish. As it stands, the cause of the fire is still under investigation, though John Quaglione of the Brooklyn Catholic Diocese suggested to CBS News that it appears to be electrical in nature.
This incident marks the second time Saint Edmund has faced major challenges, the first being its damage during Superstorm Sandy. As recalled by neighbor Janie Culleton in her CBS News interview, "The smell of the fire just brings back so many memories of the storm and I think we had our closing here when we bought our house." Despite the damage, local resident Bill King, who was married at the church nearly 38 years ago, retains a sense of continuity. Reflecting on past memories, "That window there, Father Connolly gave me a shot of whiskey before I walked out into the alter. So I remember looking out the window and seeing my friend pull up in his Volkswagen."
Easter Mass has been rescheduled at nearby parishes, reflecting efforts to maintain traditions and continue their practices.
