Sunday mass goes on after church fire

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Officials say church services will go on as scheduled at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

The church, located at the corner of South Capitol Avenue and Georgia Street, caught fire early Wednesday morning. Damage to the church is estimated at $400,000 due to heavy smoke damage.

"I think it's going to set a fire, a true fire underneath them," said Father Rick Nagel said about their renewed sense of strength. "This place is brick and mortar but more importantly its where peoples lives have changed"

Saturday mass was held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, masses were held at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 7 p.m.

Fire officials say they are still investigating the fire and believe arson may be the cause.Clean up will take several months. Officials say they need to paint, wipe down the ceiling from the smoke damage and replace the carpet.

St. John is the oldest Catholic church in Indianapolis, celebrating its 175th birthday this year. St. John was originally built on the grounds where the Statehouse sits. The church was later relocated and redeveloped in 1871 to where it now stands.