St. James to reopen this weekend following vandal attack

By Marnie McAllister, Record Editor

Workers cleaned the surfaces throughout St. James Church in the Highlands after vandals discharged a fire extinguisher in the sanctuary. (Photo Special to The Record by Phil Hines)
Workers cleaned the surfaces throughout St. James Church in the Highlands after vandals discharged a fire extinguisher in the sanctuary. (Photo Special to The Record by Phil Hines)

After several days of closure for a major clean-up, St. James Church in the Highlands will be open this weekend for a wedding on Saturday and regular Sunday Masses.

The church at Bardstown Road and Edenside Avenue was vandalized early on the morning of Aug. 22.

Cleaning crews “plan to be finished on Friday and they didn’t find things that would be problematic,” said Father Gary Padgett, pastor.

Vandals broke into the historic church by forcing a door open and then sprayed the contents of a parish fire extinguisher on the high altar and areas surrounding it.

Phil Hines, St. James’ director of worship and music, said the air conditioning system picked up the fine particulates from the extinguisher and distributed them throughout the building, coating most of the surfaces.

“The high altar and chancel took the brunt,” said Hines in an interview Aug. 23. “It’s bad, but it can be cleaned. Thankfully, the sacristy has fire detectors and the particulates set off the fire alarm and immediately called the fire department.”

Cleaning crews have been working all week to remove residue from the surfaces and the air ducts, Hines said. They hope to be finished in time for a wedding rehearsal on Friday evening, he said.

St. James’ 19th-century organ has been inspected and appears to have escaped damage. The console containing the keyboard has residue on the surface, but the organ’s 2,200 pipes appear to be untouched by the residue.

“We’re grateful because the material in the fire extinguisher is corrosive to metal,” said Hines. The organ is in the midst of a long-term restoration.

Hines added that, in the spirit of the Year of Mercy, “I’m trying to pray for these folks (who vandalized the church) for whatever was in their minds that would lead them to this.”

For the remainder of the week, there will be no daily Mass at St. James. The nearby St. Brigid Church, 1520 Hepburn Avenue, has daily Mass at noon.

Marnie McAllister
Written By
Marnie McAllister
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