All Saints Church, Olyphant, PA, damaged by fire on eve of Great Lent

Founded in 1902, All Saints Church in Olyphant, PA, was recently damaged by a fire which left parts of the altar and icons in ruins.

Black soot covers the altar and damages several icons above the altar.

A hole was punctured into the roof of the altar at the time of the file for smoke to escape.

The Rev. Paul Fetsko, rector, shows the damages to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman.

His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania observes the damages of the altar table.

Bishop Tikhon leads a service of prayer with parishioners who are determined to rebuild.

OLYPHANT, PA [OCA Communications] — On Sunday, March 5, 2006, the eve of the first day of Great Lent, flames shot out of All Saints Church here in a fire that severely damaged the 105-year-old structure.

Firefighters were called to the church at 3:43 p.m. The Rev. Paul Fetsko, rector, said he was driving toward the church about the same time.

“We were coming downhill, and I saw the smoke and I said, “Oh my God, that’s our church,” Father Fetsko told Scranton Times-Tribune reporters.

Father Fetsko rushed to save vestments and the sacred items on the altar table and in the altar. Parishioners and firefighters later retrieved banners and other liturgical items.

According to the Times-Tribune, Olyphant Fire Chief Bob Powell said flames also damaged the sacristy, but spared the parish office located in a building behind the church.

Father Fetsko told reporters that some of the icons on the interior walls of the church were peeling due to the hot temperatures. Flames, water, and smoke also damaged the altar, he said.

More than 100 neighbors and parishioners gathered outside the church on Sunday afternoon as firefighters cut holes in the roof to let heat and smoke escape.

On Monday, March 6, a state police fire marshal announced that the fire had started accidentally.

Established in 1900, All Saints parish was due to host a deanery Lenten Vesper service on Sunday, April 9.

Father Fetsko said the parish would look for a temporary home, although he said he hoped to have a service in the church basement next Sunday to celebrate what was saved. The prayer service could also restore some normalcy to the Lenten season.

All Saints Church is covered by Insurance Systems Agency, a provider for risk management and insurance services uniquely tailored to Orthodox institutions.