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remembering fire at cathedral

Church destroyed in 1912, 25 years after diocese erected in southern Illinois

Story by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

With the front pews reserved for, and filled with firefighters from the city of Belleville, Bishop Edward K. Braxton blessed a refurbished canopy over the cathedra or bishop’s chair and a pulpit at St. Peter Cathedral, during a liturgy commemorating a fire that destroyed the church Jan. 4, 1912.

Bishop Braxton noted that on this day, Jan. 8, when the feast of the Epiphany was celebrated, it was 125 years and one day ago on Jan. 7, 1887 that the Diocese of Belleville was erected.

Pope Leo XIII signed documents establishing this diocese from the Diocese of Alton.

Bishop John Janssen, Belleville’s first bishop, had celebrated his 50th anniversary a little more than three years earlier, in 1908.

Father Joseph Schlarman, rector of the cathedral and great uncle of Bishop Stanley Schlarman, began the task of cleaning up and rebuilding the church.

Bishop Janssen, who suffered a heart attack in April 1913, died in July of that same year. The unfinished cathedral was draped in black, reports said.

The “Te Deum” was sung Oct. 19, 1913 in the new cathedral.

Native son, Bishop Henry Althoff had not yet been named, but his installation Feb. 24, 1914 would take place in the new cathedral.

Bishop Braxton spoke about the terror and wonder, awe and contemplation evoked by the image of fire: terror because of its destructive power.

“In religious faith, fire is a powerful, ever-present symbol of the tremendous mystery of the hidden presence of God revealed, yet concealed.

“God reveals the Divine Being to Moses in a bush that burns — but it is not consumed. … The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and gave birth to the Church appearing in ‘Tongues of fire,’” the bishop said.

The liturgy also celebrated the feast of the Epiphany. “…(T)he Sacred Scriptures are filled with images of light and fire,” the bishop said, referring to words from the prophet, Isaiah: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.”

In the Gospel, the Magi were guided to the Christ Child by the light of a star.

In remembering the 125th anniversary, Bishop Braxton gave thanks for “all those who labored to rebuild the Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese and for Bishop Albert R. Zuroweste, who renovated and expanded the Cathedral after the Second Vatican Council.”

In closing, the bishop said: “We are overjoyed at seeing the star of Christ, we recommit ourselves to entering the house where Jesus is confident that Mary and Joseph are there as well.

“Through our lives of love and service, we prostrate ourselves and do Christ homage. We open the treasures of our lives and hearts and offer him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, acknowledging him as king, Lord and suffering servant messiah.”

To read Bishop Braxton's homily, please click on this link: Homily from Jan. 8, 2012.