Parishioners at St. Philip’s Church in Hankinson couldn’t celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Masses, or any Masses for that matter, after fire broke out in the church late in the afternoon of Dec. 16, 2024.
A member of the St. Philip’s congregation called in the fire at about 4:20 p.m. when smoke was seen billowing out of an attic vent on the east side of the church. The Hankinson Fire Department was on the scene within minutes, but the fire was spreading quickly, and the call went out for mutual aid. Firefighters and equipment from across Richland County, including a ladder truck from Wahpeton, responded to the call.
Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly four hours before getting it under control by about 8:15 p.m. No injuries were reported. The fire was isolated mostly in the attic, but a portion of the ceiling collapsed just in front of the altar, and the entire ceiling was heavily damaged by smoke and water. Two members of the parish rushed into the church just after the fire was reported and were able to remove the Blessed Sacrament, sacred relics and vestments before being told not to re-enter the structure.
Bishop Folda got a first-hand look at the damage on Dec. 17, along with St. Philip’s pastor Monsignor Brian Donahue and diocesan facilities manager Earl Wilhelm. Preliminary inspections revealed the heavily damaged ceiling, which more than likely will have to be replaced, but the main structure appears to be salvageable. However, a final determination on how to proceed with repairs or possible replacement of the church won’t be made until after a more thorough inspections of the structure are completed. The cause of the fire and damage estimates are still being determined as of the writing of this article.
The Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen have graciously offered their main chapel to the St. Philip’s congregation for the celebration of Masses for the near future. The pastors of two Lutheran churches in Hankinson also offered their worship spaces as well.
A $1.6 million reconstruction project to refurbish the basement of the church and to add an elevator was already underway when the fire broke out. That project is temporarily on hold. Fire officials say they don’t believe the reconstruction project and the fire are related.
St. Philip’s Church is one the oldest churches in the Fargo Diocese. The cornerstone of the church was laid in 1908 and the church was officially opened in 1910.