Melrose Church Fire

A juvenile was charged with arson in the first degree for the fire that damaged St. Mary Church in Melrose in March 2016, according to a news release June 20 from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.

About 450 people gathered Feb. 11 at Melrose High School to see a proposal for a new church in Melrose.

When longtime parishioner Gail Schlicht, a retired nurse, learned that the pews salvaged after the fire that tore through the church March 11, 2016, were not going to be reused in the renovation, she was eager to see if she could get some of the rescued wood on her lathe.

Through an interview process, parish leaders acted on a recommendation from Bishop Donald Kettler to hire a liturgical design consultant and selected Ken Griesemer of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Based on recommendations from the Diocesan Building Commission, St. Mary Parish in Melrose has hired a liturgical design consultant to assist the parish community in taking the next step forward in rebuilding the church.

With a a steering committee formed to help gather information, work with the insurance company and general contractors and report their findings, the community is moving forward one year later.

Nine months ago, a devastating fire destroyed our church in Melrose. As we wait for decisions to be made about its restoration, I paused to reflect on Christmas traditions celebrated at St. Mary’s.

While the community of St. Mary Church in Melrose prepares to celebrate the Christmas season without their beloved building, which was severely damaged in a fire March 11, its members are hopeful that some traditions will carry on as usual.