On one hand, the congregation celebrated the resurrection of Christ. On the other hand, parishioners mourned the serious damage the church sustained during a fire on Good Friday.

The church’s worshipers didn’t let the fire hinder Easter mass, which was held in the parking lot, under a blue sky.

The blaze broke out at about 8 p.m. Friday and firefighters from Wilson and Green townships, along with help from Hubbard Lake and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, worked until about midnight extinguishing the fire.

Nobody was at the church at the time of the fire and no firefighters were injured battling it.

Courtesy Photo Firefighters pull fire hoses through a broken out window to fight a fire at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Friday. This photo was taken by Alpena County Emergency Services Coordinator and 911 Director Kim Elk

Fire personnel returned to the church on Saturday morning to tackle a few smoldering hot spots and local, state, and federal officials, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will work to determine the cause of the fire and if it was intentionally started.

Gil LaCross, fire chief in Wilson Township, said that, when fire crews arrived, there was fire in the southeastern corner of the structure and it spread into the attic. He said holes were cut into the roof to help keep the fire from spreading and crews attacked the blaze with hoses from the inside.

In the end, LaCross said, the church suffered heavy smoke and water damage, but the hard work and coordination of all of the departments helped prevent the building from becoming a complete loss.

“As sad as it is to see the damage the fire caused, the church is still standing,” he said. “It was satisfying to see how the departments worked together, listened to orders, and worked as one big team. Everyone just came and did their job.”

One of the most emotional moments during the fire came when a pair of firefighters carried out the large crucifix from the church nearly unscathed from the fire, smoke, and water inside the church.

Courtesy Photo Members of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church carry a crucifix away from the scene of a fire at the church on Friday. The cross is now safely in storage after surviving the fire. This photo was taken by Alpena County Emergency Services Coordinator and 911 Director Kim Elkie.

Alpena County Emergency Services Coordinator and 911 Director Kim Elkie was at the scene Friday night. She said that, when she saw the firefighters exit the building with the large cross, she wanted to document the moment, so she snapped a photo.

“It was surreal,” she said. “It was not lost on anybody there that it was Good Friday and what the day was about. When they carried it out, it sent chills down my spine and (it was) a very solemn moment.”

Elkie said she feels for the people who loved the church and what it represents. She said a church is much more than a building. It is like a family member to those who worship in it.

“If you are a person of faith, your heart hurts for the people, because you have an emotional attachment to the church,” Elkie said. “It is more than just a building. It is a place where you celebrate, mourn, and grieve, and meet and praise along with others. It has to be hard, especially on Easter.”

Courtesy Photo A pair of firefighters carry a large crucifix out of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church during a fire on Friday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is working with local and state agencies to be sure the fire wasn’t started intentionally. This photo was taken by Alpena County Emergency Services Coordinator and 911 Director Kim Elkie.