Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Fire crews were still attending to hot spots late Wednesday evening as the parishioners of Holy Name Cathedral reflected on the early morning blaze that ripped through the roof of their landmark place of worship.

It's been a tourist attraction, as well as a religious sanctuary for the people of Chicago. Even if you never stepped foot inside, it was hard not to be emotionally impacted watching the historic structure go up in flames Wednesday morning.

Parishioners were devastated as they watched the fire.

"It's just a horrible feeling to see the flames, especially after the rehab especially after the Christmas season, it's just helpless. It's just a bad feeling to be able to see at this point," parishioner John McReel said.

Parishioner Ara Cook lives right across the street from Holy Name Cathedral. She ran outside to see the fire with her own eyes this morning.

"It was such a punch in the gut," Cook said. "It was so emotionally devastating."

Cook is actively involved with parish life at Holy Name. She shared pictures from a volunteers' luncheon with Francis Cardinal George, and from a May crowning ceremony of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"I feel a connection with this church at the cellular level," Cook said. "That's what made it so hard."

She says the news is especially hard to take following last year's massive renovation, which shut down the church for months.

"Christmas Eve with all the lights on to broadcast the mass, it absolutely shone. And now we're starting at square one again," Cook said.

For parishioner Amie Lewis, Holy Name is also like a second home.

"I go to church here every day, and I chose my residence a block away just so I could be close to this church," Lewis said.

And the fire will not extinguish her daily ritual.

"We just went through reconstruction, so we know how to have mass in other places," Lewis said.

Evelyn Daniel sings in the choir.

"It touches my heart - just the recesses of my soul," said parishioner Evelyn Daniel. "It's a very special church -- true spirits have been here."

Pat Danek attends mass each Saturday.

"When I am here, it seems I am the only one here that I am talking one on one with God," said parishioner Pat Danek. "Nothing could distract me from my prayers at this church."

The Brethenoux family is preparing for a First Communion.

"The church kind of means a lot to me," said parishioner Maiwenn Brethenoux. "It makes me feel good about myself when I tell what I did wrong and how I can do better."

Artist Larry Cope designed the medallions that appear on the ceiling of the cathedral.

"Hopefully the church will be saved and everything will be as it should be in the near future," Cope said. "This is a sad day not only for the parishioners of Holy Name cathedral, but all Catholics in Chicago as well."

Parishioners and spectators alike gaped in amazement at the burnt-out cathedral. Some stopped to take pictures. Others had no clue when they arrived for mass this afternoon.

"I had a little time and I said, 'well, I'll just go to mass.' So I'm just walking over and I see the police barriers," said visitor Tom Glennon.

Despite some shock or sadness, the overwhelming emotion today is relief that no one was hurt.

"It's a building. It's just a building. It's not the people," Lewis said.

"We are still Holy Name parish," Cook said. "We are still Chicago's place to come and worship. Just maybe move next door for a while."

Masses were canceled Wednesday, but church workers told us that regularly scheduled services will resume Thursday. They will take place in the Club Room, which is in the basement of Francis Xavier Warde School next door.

Parishioners also expressed relief that the blessed Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the body of Christ, was saved by one of the priests as they escaped from the burning church this morning.

CBS 2's Susan Carlson and Vince Gerasole contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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