Sunday May 17, 2009, 10:37 a.m. A day we will long remember. The alarm went off. No one believed it was a fire. Many of us thought the Bishopric's children had found a new button to push. The last words spoken from the pulpit by our conducting High Councilor were "Please exit reverently." A few moments later people were still in their chapel seats, not wanting to lose them. Our High Councilor reminded them they would be fined if the firemen had to come in after them. Others left their scriptures in order to hold their seats. All were lost.
What a day. What a week. We suppose you have heard our exciting news. We survived a packed meeting house that decided to go up in flames. The first built and most famous Latter-day Saint Chapel in New England burned down Sunday May 17 during a multi stake satellite conference. With about 400 members in our building, at first we did not believe the alarm was real. It was. Prayers were answered, as shown here with the fire fighters taking our very rare, valuable and many irreplaceable books out of harms way by using the rescue equipment.
After the books were removed from the building, the members formed a human chain and passed the books across Longfellow Park to the Quaker's Church, who graciously volunteered to house them until we could arrange to dry them out and store them. We were inside the building passing out the materials enduring massive flooding.
Full flames, no water. Very frustrating. The first hydrant on this side of the building blew apart when first hooked up. Waiting for water seemed to take forever.
At one point the fire fighters asked for help to carry in the hoses from the Elders of Israel (our wards). They responded swiftly and bravely. Moments later the sirens and horns sounded for everyone to abandon the building. Our Elders came running out, followed by the fire fighters. Seconds later (about 1 minute) the roof over the chapel collapsed. We will never forget this horrific scene. It signaled the shift from offense to defense. No longer able to save the building, the emphasis was now protecting the neighboring homes. We now knew the fate of our building.
This is a possible picture of Dad's head with a timely backdrop. Andrew would have been proud.
More flames.
Two days later we continued to enter the building for search and rescue. Notice the trendy hats and goggles.
Mom watching the steeple being removed. We both loved this building, but Mom felt like she had lost an old friend. (She is not really at attention, but observed a moment of silence for some priceless material she lost).
Dad happily supervising.
Our friend Mitt and his wife. Notice Mom to the left and Dad to the right. Mitt was out from San Diego to attend a grandchild's baptism. They are a striking couple.
Post fire: the chapel.
From the air
The window survived in the chapel.
The classroom where Mom and Dad taught "Doctrines and Principles in Our Daily Lives".
Life goes on. We love you.
Sunday May 17, 2009, 10:37 a.m. A day we will long remember. The alarm went off. No one believed it was a fire. Many of us thought the Bishopric's children had found a new button to push. The last words spoken from the pulpit by our conducting High Councilor were "Please exit reverently." A few moments later people were still in their chapel seats, not wanting to lose them. Our High Councilor reminded them they would be fined if the firemen had to come in after them. Others left their scriptures in order to hold their seats. All were lost.
What a day. What a week. We suppose you have heard our exciting news. We survived a packed meeting house that decided to go up in flames. The first built and most famous Latter-day Saint Chapel in New England burned down Sunday May 17 during a multi stake satellite conference. With about 400 members in our building, at first we did not believe the alarm was real. It was. Prayers were answered, as shown here with the fire fighters taking our very rare, valuable and many irreplaceable books out of harms way by using the rescue equipment.
After the books were removed from the building, the members formed a human chain and passed the books across Longfellow Park to the Quaker's Church, who graciously volunteered to house them until we could arrange to dry them out and store them. We were inside the building passing out the materials enduring massive flooding. 
At one point the fire fighters asked for help to carry in the hoses from the Elders of Israel (our wards). They responded swiftly and bravely. Moments later the sirens and horns sounded for everyone to abandon the building. Our Elders came running out, followed by the fire fighters. Seconds later (about 1 minute) the roof over the chapel collapsed. We will never forget this horrific scene. It signaled the shift from offense to defense. No longer able to save the building, the emphasis was now protecting the neighboring homes. We now knew the fate of our building.
This is a possible picture of Dad's head with a timely backdrop. Andrew would have been proud.
More flames.
Two days later we continued to enter the building for search and rescue. Notice the trendy hats and goggles.
Mom watching the steeple being removed. We both loved this building, but Mom felt like she had lost an old friend. (She is not really at attention, but observed a moment of silence for some priceless material she lost).
Dad happily supervising.
Our friend Mitt and his wife. Notice Mom to the left and Dad to the right. Mitt was out from San Diego to attend a grandchild's baptism. They are a striking couple.
Post fire: the chapel.
From the air
The window survived in the chapel.
The classroom where Mom and Dad taught "Doctrines and Principles in Our Daily Lives".
Life goes on. We love you. 
10 comments:
Those are some incredible pictures. Thank you for the update. You guys look good in the photos. So young and energetic. Those hard hats suit you, as do the black name tags. You make us proud.
This is not your typical missionary post! The pictures are very moving. We're so glad you are safe. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you, expecially since the fire. We love you, and hope you can recover your important boxes that were lost.
I was very sad to see this in the news. Then it dawned on me that this was your chapel. I'm glad you are doing OK. What an experience. I hope that this will prove to be a strengthening moment for your ward members, and that they will develop an increased unity through this trial.
I've read a lot of articles and watched a lot of video about your building burning down, but nothing compared to your own post. Thank you. I know you'll be blessed for every sacrifice. Love you!
Well, I'm just happy it was the items that were lost and not you. But it's very sad. I'm glad you could still recover some of it.
That would be a difficult part of history to watch burn. We certainly do love our churches. I am sorry for your loss.
Some plant species are dependent on the effects of fire for growth and reproduction. Is it fair to say that this fire may cause some seeds to sprout as well?
Deep Thoughts by Clark
P.S. Glad everybody was ok.
This was a sad thing to have happen. It just goes to show that obedience is important and no scriptures would have been lost. You both look healthy and good. What a bad experience for you beautiful people but like Clark said maybe some good will come of it.
Is the High Councilor ever going to live that one down? You could make so many jokes about that. Preaching hellfire, or trying to wake everyone he had put to sleep, or . . .
So, we see how you commemorated your mission's halfway mark. What do you have planned for your grand finale in six months?
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