A Schenectady church devastated by a fire is now back open. Time Warner Cable News reporter Michael Howard has the details on how Schenectady's first Italian church came back to life.
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Recalling the days following a devastating fire, St. Anthony’s Church office manager Frank Ranucci says he was in shock.
“There was a lot of water damage, smoke damage mostly a whole lot of smoke damage," said Ranucci.
On March 7, 2014, a furnace in the basement of the church caught fire, sending smoke to the second floor. Firefighters were able to put it out quickly, but what was left were stained black walls and water covering the floor.
But church trustee Vincent Bianchi says a miracle happened. Insurance along with donors helped paid for restoration, and the community and church leaders stepped in to help out.
“It’s just been an icon in Schenectady, it was really a crushing blow when we had the fire and were delighted to bring it back," said Bianchi.
All of the community support and work culminated Sunday afternoon as more than 30 priests joined and community members for a rededication Mass, welcoming it back into the community. Church members say it now has an up-to-date feel while still keeping its historic character.
“There’s a modern look to it, but it still has all of the tradition of the past, that was very important to us,” said Bianchi.
Now they say their doors are officially back open.
“We now have a beautiful church that blends the old parts of the church with the new parts, and we think we have something special to offer here," said Ranucci.