Weymouth church destroyed

WEYMOUTH -- More than 100 firefighters fought a seven-alarm fire last night and this morning that destroyed Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a towering brick edifice built by Irish immigrants in the early 1880s.

Just after midnight, observers watched flames tear through the roof and smoke billow out of the church's new stained-glass windows. Fire officials estimated the damage in the millions.

''This is going to be totally destroyed," said Terry Donilon, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston, who watched as teams of firefighters did their best to save the adjacent school and rectory early today. ''This is certainly a tragic event. The archdiocese extends its deepest prayers to the parishioners of Sacred Heart. It doesn't look good."

Officials said at least one firefighter was injured and taken to South Shore Hospital.

''This is a tragic loss to the community," said Weymouth Fire Chief Robert Leary. ''What [parishioners] have to remember is that the church is just a building, and their faith will guide them through."

The first calls came in to police about 10:22 p.m., officials said. It wasn't clear how or where the fire started, but Leary said he thought it began in the church's boiler room in the basement.

Donilon said he expected that everything inside the church would be destroyed. ''The most valuable loss is the memories," he said.

About 1,500 parishioners attend Sacred Heart Mass every weekend, Donilon said. Mass this weekend will be held for them at a church auditorium down the street, he said.

Neighbors and parishioners stared in shock early today as flames lashed the church's five-story steeple.

Mary Develler, 46, who lives nearby, has been coming to the church since she was 2 years old. ''It's just sad," she said.

Another long-time parishioner, Carolyn Puleo, 64, who has spent half her life attending the church and helping to distribute communion, fought tears as flames tore through the roof.

''It's just a beautiful church, just a beautiful church," she said. ''I love this parish."

Donilon said it was too early to tell whether the fire would have any effect on other parishes slated to close.

In Weymouth, the archdiocese initially planned to close St. Albert the Great, but in March, officials granted the parish a reprieve.

''I think we have to focus on what's going on here this evening," Donilon said. ''This is a tragic event for parishioners of Sacred Heart. It's too early to say anything."

According to the parish's website, Sacred Heart was founded in 1871 by the Rev. Hugh Smyth, who built eight churches on the South Shore.

In the 1860s, he purchased the Wales estate, including the Half Way House, a famous inn so named because it was half way between Boston and Scituate. When the church was established, this house became the rectory, which was torn down in 1990. The church was completed in 1882.

On Sept. 13, 1915, Sacred Heart Elementary School opened in a former factory near the church. The old Half Way House became the convent. A high school was started in 1923.

Between 1958 and 1962, the present school buildings were constructed.

During the early 1990s, many improvements were made to the property, including the construction of a new rectory.

The high school was closed in 1992, and enrollment of the elementary school has increased steadily.

The school had been scheduled to close for the summer on June 15. It was unclear this morning whether there would be classes today.