EVERETT -- Immaculate Conception Church in Everett was damaged in an early morning fire on Mother's Day, May 8, forcing parishioners to celebrate the Mother's Day Mass in the gymnasium of a nearby school.
According to Tom Philbin, director of Communications for the city, the Everett Fire Department responded to alarms within around five minutes, which Philbin said likely limited the amount of damage that was done to the 120-year-old building. He did not have an estimate of the damage.
Terrence Donilon, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Boston, said the archdiocese is "assisting in the process of having companies clean up, board windows, and repair the roof where it was vented by the Fire Dept."
He said that Immaculate Conception Church's Masses were held in the gymnasium of a nearby school, and said funerals will be moved to neighboring parishes: St. Anthony's Parish in Everett, Our Lady of Grace Parish in Everett, and St. Joseph Parish in Malden.
"The parishioners have been very supportive," said Donilon.