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Steeple Fire
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- June 25th Update
- June 26th Update
- June 27th Update
- June 28th Update
- July 5th Update
- July 13th Update
- July 20th Update
- July 27th Update
- August 17th Update
- October 19th Update
- January 11th Update
- January 17th Update
- Feb 8th Update
- Feb 15th Update
- March 1st Update
- March 15th Update
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June 25Last night, around 9:00 p.m., there was a steeple fire at St. John the Baptist Church in Jefferson. We believe the fire was started by a lightning strike but that has not yet been confirmed. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the Blessed Sacrament was removed from the church and the Adoration chapel. We are extremely grateful to the Jefferson Fire Department for their quick response and outstanding work. They made the determination that it was a three-alarm fire and fire crews from multiple neighboring cities responded to assist. The fire was extinguished around 1:00 a.m.
The fire damage appears contained to the steeple area with water damage mostly in the back 1/3 of the church. A crane will be arriving this morning to take down the steeple cross which is no longer stable. For safety reasons, please avoid the area for the next few days as we get things cordoned off and boarded up.
Bishop Hying has extended his prayers and support and diocesan representatives have been assisting through the night with resources and structural assessment. Paul Davis Restoration is already on-site working on water mitigation, restoration, and clean-up. Structural engineers, electricians, and additional crews will be at the church today.
There will be no Masses or events at St. John the Baptist Church this weekend. We will provide additional updates through our pastorate's bulletin, website, and Flocknote messages and hope to have the church open again very soon. Please join me in offering prayers of gratitude that no one was hurt and that the fire was contained to the steeple.St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
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June 26
TO GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE FROM YESTERDAY'S EVENTS AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A TEAM COMPRISED OF PAUL DAVIS RESTORATION, VOGEL BROTHERS GENERAL CONTRACTORS, DIOCESE OF MADISON AND CATHOLIC MUTUAL, OUR DIOCESAN INSURANCE COMPANY. THE RESPONSE BY THIS TEAM WAS SWIFT.
BY THE HAND OF GOD, WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE INCURRED WASN’T WORSE THAN IT IS.
CURRENTLY, THE STEEPLE IS BEING SECURED AND CAPPED TO AVOID ADDITIONAL WATER DAMAGE FROM WEATHER.
MOVING FORWARD WE WILL CONTINUE TO MITIGATE THE DAMAGE AS THE RESTORATION CONTINUES.
AS WE HAVE UPDATES, WE WILL PASS THESE ON TO YOU.
PLEASE KEEP OUR TEAM AND THE PARISH IN YOUR PRAYERS.
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June 27
- Mitigation efforts continue with the church interior.
- The steeple is currently being taken down due to the severe damage sustained from the fire.
- Structural engineers are assessing the balance of the bell tower and roof of the church.
- As stated in a Flocknote yesterday, Masses scheduled at SJB will move to St. Lawrence.
- Internet and phone service for the parish offices and school is completely off-line. To get these repairs done, Spectrum technicians must have access to the school roof. However, the cranes are working overhead and no one other than construction personnel are authorized access to these areas. Once the cranes have completed their work and are moved off-site, Spectrum will be given full access.
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June 28th
- The Vogel Brothers team continue the removal of the steeple
- Mitigation efforts continue on the interior of the church
- Power supply added to accommodate the required amount of mitigation equipment
- Determine the appropriate timing to allow access to school
- Assess drying progress and reallocate equipment to ensure optimal results
- Continue debris clean-up of campus when overhead work is complete
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July 5On behalf of Msgr. Heiar:
- Currently, the facility is being assessed for potential asbestos, mercury or lead prior to future replace or repair efforts.
- Scaffolding will be installed this week to assess structural damage and to prepare for future steeple replacement.
- The church lighting and sound system were both affected by the fire and are being assessed.
- The internet and phone system at the parish and school has been restored.
- St. John the Baptist Summer Care Program has moved to the KC Hall in Jefferson.
- All Liturgical Services are on hold at St. John the Baptist Church until the site is secure and repaired to meet occupancy. These Liturgical Services will be held at St. Lawrence for the time being.
- St. John the Baptist School should open as scheduled for the academic year.
We give much gratitude for your patience and support during our repair and restore effort in Jefferson. Please continue praying for the restoration team, our priests, and our parishioners.
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July 13Update at St. John the Baptist Church, Jeffersonas of 7-13-24On behalf of Msgr. Heiar:
- Site mitigation efforts continue with drying and reduction of moisture being the priority.
- Scaffolding will encase the clocktower and structural engineers will evaluate the condition of the masonry.
- The church organ and piano are being assessed for damage.
- The church lighting and sound system are being assessed for damage.
- The safety fencing around the site has been adjusted which allows access to the school.
- Only authorized personnel are allowed inside the fenced area for OSHA compliance.
- We are awaiting a condition report regarding asbestos, lead, and mercury throughout the site.
- The summer care program will resume in the school on Monday, July 15th, 2024. A huge thank you to our KCs for the use of their clubhouse these past two weeks.
- The Eucharistic Adoration Chapel reopened Friday, July 12th.
- We continue to hold all Liturgical Services at St. Lawrence. (The Church roof and eave project is complete at St. Lawrence, but the parking lot at St Lawrence will be crack-filled, seal coated, and striped this week. Therefore, the weekly Mass schedule has been modified since parking lot access will not be allowed while the work is being completed…see schedule below for area Mass Times)
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July 20On behalf of Msgr. Heiar:
- We are currently in a holding pattern as we wait for bids to repair and restore the damage from the storm at St. John the Baptist, Jefferson.
- Weekend Mass schedules in Jefferson are being evaluated by our Pastoral and Finance Councils, our priests, and our staff.
As always, we are so grateful for your patience and support during our repair and restore effort in Jefferson. Please continue praying for the restoration team, our priests, and our parishioners.
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July 27thUpdate at St. John the Baptist Church, Jeffersonas of 7-27-24On behalf of Msgr. Heiar:
- Bids to repair and restore the damage from the storm continue to trickle in.
- The assessment reports on asbestos, lead, and mercury have been received and the results are promising.
- During these beautiful summer days, as we wait for work to commence at St. John the Baptist, consider traveling the short distance to one of the sister churches in our pastorate to experience the beauty that is part of us.
A Note From Our PastorAfter consulting with parish leadership and staff on the Saturday Mass schedule in Jefferson, it has been determined that holding a 4:00 p.m. AND 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Lawrence is impractical. There is barely enough time for the 4:00 faithful to exit the church and parking lot before the 5:30 congregation arrives. Therefore, beginning next Saturday AUGUST 3, the Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Lawrence, Jefferson will be at 4:00 p.m. only. Please note that this is a temporary change until we can once again hold Mass at St. John the Baptist. Both Sunday Mass times in Jefferson will remain the same: 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (in Spanish).Msgr. Donn Heiar
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August 17th
- Fencing has been moved and the road in front of church is now open.
- Scaffolding is scheduled to be installed in September.
- Please remember that St. John the Baptist continues to be a construction zone and access into the church is for authorized personnel only.
- This weekend is a great time to visit St. Pius in Cambridge. Their beautiful church is a leisurely 15-minute drive from Jefferson. The weekend weather report sounds perfect for a mini road trip to Cambridge.
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October 19th UpdateUpdate on the Repair and Restoration ofSt. John the Baptist Church, JeffersonThe initial process has been slow but steady. The steeple was removed, and the bell tower capped. The building was promptly treated for water mitigation, and the moisture was fully resolved shortly after the lightning strike and fire.
Although not overpowering, the smell of smoke has permeated the carpets, cushions, and other materials like hymnals and wall coverings.
The masonry bell tower sustained some structural damage and will be re-engineered and repaired. The structural analysis and reconstruction of the steeple has been a lengthy process, as the design must comply with both current structural and building codes.
Items being inspected:- Church roof and school roof, to include gutters
- 3 large Church bells and Apollo speaker system
- All stain glass windows and storm windows
- Church interior and exterior lighting
- Church organ and piano
- Church sound system
- HVAC and electrical
- Repainting the entire interior of the church
- Phone system damage and computer damage (These items have been repaired and were covered by insurance)
- Damage to the Baptismal Font
- Damage to doors, floors, carpet, and pews
- The list goes on …
Once the inspection report and cost to repair budget is complete, the project will be submitted to the insurance company for final determination. Our hope is that we will have approval to move ahead with interior renovation and steeple repair as early as this November.Before the fire, we had been working on a proposal to add ADA-compliant bathrooms and a confessional to the church. While these improvements will still be proposed, they will be categorized as 'betterments' rather than insurable items.Several areas of the church and physical plant require repairs and upkeep due to deferred maintenance. These issues need to be addressed promptly. In particular, the north parking lot is in disrepair and requires drainage improvements before repaving. Also McKenna House drywall repair and paint, flooring, and patio deck repair. Some of the initial work will begin this month with the remaining work scheduled for next summer.As your Pastor, I understand how challenging this has been for all of us, and I greatly admire your patience, resilience, sacrifice, and support. Together we will rebuild our Church and continue the cherished tradition of St. John the Baptist Church.In the coming months we will assemble a team of dedicated parishioners to help drive the renovation efforts. The committee will play a crucial role in shaping a strong future focused on our commitment to Jesus Christ.
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Jan 11th Update
St. John the Baptist Update: We are thrilled to share that we have secured funding from our insurance company to kick-off Phase 1 of the Restoration Project at St. John the Baptist! This marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and there is so much more to come. Stay tuned as we take the next steps together!
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Dear Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish and St. Teresa of Calcutta Pastorate,May the peace of Christ be with you and your families. As we turn another page in the life of our beloved parish, I write to you today with immense gratitude for your unwavering faith, support, and dedication to our shared mission. Together, we are a community deeply rooted in God’s love and the teachings of Christ.Since its founding, St. John the Baptist Church has been a sanctuary of faith, hope, and love. It has witnessed generations being baptized, marriages blessed, and loved ones commended to God's eternal care. Our church stands not only as a physical structure but as a testament of God’s presence in our lives.As we reflect on the lightning strike and fire that damaged our church on June 24, 2024, we remember the countless moments of grace, joy, and community shared within its walls. While the flames, water, and impact may have damaged the building, they have not diminished our spirit, our faith, or our mission to serve God and one another.Today, we embark on Phase 1 of our rebuilding journey—a journey not just to restore a physical structure, but to renew the foundation of our faith and unity as a parish family.Phase 1: Restoring Our Sacred Space: The first phase focuses on repairing and restoring the church interior ONLY. Future phases will address additional needs.Phase 2: Incorporates all exterior and steeple repairs once engineering assessments are complete.Phase 3: Betterments including bathrooms, parking lot resurfacing, a confessional, upgrade to lighting, and stained-glass window repairs unrelated to the fire damage. Phase 3 will likely require a Capital Campaign.Thanks to Catholic Mutual Insurance, we have received funding for Phase 1 and are ready to begin this important work.Phase 1 Work Includes:
- Pew removal: offsite for restoration and new cushions.
- Chair removal: offsite for restoration and new cushions.
- Carpet removal: assessment and potential restoration of the Terrazzo flooring underneath.
- Asbestos removal and abatement.
- Temporary floor protection and scaffolding for painting and lighting.
- Plaster repairs and painting of the entire church.
- Repair/replacement of lighting and the sound system.
- Replacement of water-damaged doors.
- Replacement of the baptismal font.
- Replacement of the organ, which was damaged beyond repair (by the grace of God the Baby Grand piano was not damaged).
- Restoration of statues damaged by water and debris.
- Repair of three of the eighteen stained glass windows located on the south end of the church that were damaged.
- Replacement of the HVAC equipment damaged by the event.
- Replacement of hymnals
My friends, this work lays the foundation for us to once again celebrate the Holy Mass in our beloved Church. We anticipate scaffolding going up in February as Phase 1 begins. A detailed timeline will follow once the work is underway.A Call to Renewed HopeMy friends, while these efforts focus on the building, they also serve as a powerful reminder of what binds us together as a community - our shared faith, love, and commitment to God’s work.Let this moment be an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the true meaning of Church—not just a structure, but the mystical Body of Christ alive in our community.With God’s grace, this fire will mark a chapter of transformation, renewal, and deeper faith for our parish family.Thank you for walking this journey with us. Together we will build a sacred space filled with hope, beauty, and unwavering faith.In Christ’s Mercy and Love,Msgr. Donn HeiarJanuary 2025
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FebRuary 8 UpdateWith grateful hearts, we share an update on the restoration following the steeple fire at St. John the Baptist Church in Jefferson. While the damage was significant, we remain strong in faith, trusting in God's providence, and are humbled by your unwavering support and dedication. Your generosity and prayers have been a true blessing, and we cannot thank you enough for walking this journey with us.Repairs and renovations are now underway to restore not only the physical beauty of our church but also its role as a sacred place of worship and community. We are deeply grateful for your continued support, which allows us to move forward with faith and hope.The initial renovation and repair work began on February 3, 2025:
- The choir loft was cleared, and the hymnals and music that were destroyed have been discarded.
- The Altar, Tabernacle, and Sanctuary furniture were carefully wrapped and prepared for offsite storage.
- The sacristy was cleared, with items securely packed for storage.
- All statuary was staged for offsite storage.
- Carpet removal began.
- Pews are scheduled to be moved offsite during the week of February 10, 2025.
- The remainder of the carpet will be removed once the pews have been relocated.
- The damage to the Baptismal Font was extensive, requiring its removal.
We understand the natural curiosity and desire to witness the progress firsthand. However, please be aware that the interior of the church is currently an active construction zone where only authorized personnel are permitted for safety reasons.To keep you informed and engaged, we will include photos of the interior as progress continues in our upcoming Flocknotes. Below are a few images from this past week.Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Your generosity and faith strengthen our parish as we work to restore our beloved church. +Peace be with you,Msgr. Donn Heiar
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St. John the Baptist, Jefferson Update:Progress continues as the pews are removed and transported to an off-site location for refurbishment. The remaining carpet and the baptismal font have also been removed. This may not sound like significant progress, but the removal of the pews is a complex and intricate task.
Below, you will find a few updated photos to review.
As a reminder, the interior of the church remains a hard-hat-only construction zone, and unauthorized personnel are not permitted.
We are deeply grateful for your continued prayers and support throughout this process.
Photos courtesy of Beth Schweiger
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March 1stRenovations continue to progress at St. John the Baptist Church in Jefferson. The pews, baptismal font, and decorative organ pipes have been removed. The organ pipes were purely ornamental and had no impact on the instrument’s sound. After consulting with our organists and pianists, they wholeheartedly agreed that removing the “fake” pipes was the right decision.
Take a close look at the photos of the stained-glass window and column. The intricate designs surrounding the window and ceiling, as well as what appears to be sculpted wood on the column are actually hand-painted stencils. Once the interior walls and ceiling have been scraped, the plaster repaired, and a fresh coat of paint applied, skilled painters will return to restore these stenciled details by hand—a meticulous process that will result in a breathtaking transformation.
Previously, we shared an update about the stained-glass windows. Of the eighteen windows, three sustained fire damage and will be repaired through insurance coverage. The vertical bars between sections are in fact support bars originally installed to reinforce the structure. The windows themselves are composed of individual pieces of stained glass, which will be carefully removed, one full window at a time, laid out on a board, and transported off-site for restoration.
In another photo, you’ll notice the area where the baptismal font was located. With the carpet removed, the original terrazzo flooring has been revealed and is in good condition. The remaining glue will be scraped away, and the floors will be buffed to restore their unique beauty.
The final photo showcases the choir loft. With input from our organists and pianists, we will reconfigure this space to better serve our musicians. The platform will be reduced, allowing for the new organ and existing piano to be repositioned to give our musicians a clearer view of the altar, allowing them to better coordinate the music with the liturgy. The beautiful oak surrounding the current organ will be carefully removed and repurposed into shelving for choir and musician use.
Please remember that the church interior remains an active construction zone, and only authorized personnel with hard hats are permitted inside.
We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support as we continue this journey together.
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March 15th UpdateExciting Progress on St. John the Baptist Church Restoration:We are pleased to share an update on the ongoing restoration work at the church. This important project is well underway, with several key phases in progress to preserve and enhance our sacred space. While much of the work is happening behind the scenes, we appreciate your patience and support as we move forward.In the first few photos below, what appears to be large, dark tiles is actually Masonite, installed to protect the underlying terrazzo tiles.This week, Staige Stained Glass removed two windows from the south side of the building. As shown in the photos, this is a meticulous process, requiring each section to be carefully wrapped to secure the panels. To protect the building from the elements, the window openings will be temporarily sealed with plastic, insulation, and ¾” plywood. The stained-glass panels will be taken to their shop, where the restoration process will take approximately 2½ months.At the same time, work has begun in the choir loft to restructure and reduce the size of the platform. This modification will improve functionality while maintaining the beauty and integrity of the space.As noted in previous updates, hidden conditions often emerge once work begins. In this case, asbestos was discovered and must be mitigated. As a result, the church will be completely closed for one week for asbestos abatement beginning on Monday, March 17.Once that is completed, scaffolding installation will begin on Monday, March 24, a process expected to take about two weeks. Electricians will then commence electrical and lighting repairs, and the sound system will be replaced. Painting is scheduled to begin around the end of April.Thank you for your patience and support as we continue this important restoration work!Please remember that the church interior remains an active construction zone, and only authorized personnel with hard hats are permitted inside.
