BOSTON — Devastating is the word that was heard frequently at an annual mass on Palm Sunday at Boston's largest cathedral, just a day after a massive fire destroyed parts of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral in France.
Priests at Holy Cross told Boston 25 News the impact is being felt by everyone, no matter their beliefs, because of the history and significance of the Notre Dame cathedral.
In Boston, concerns persist over the age of local churches and their potential for fire.
"That cathedral has survived so many wars, world wars, and to think it was so badly damaged by this fire," Cardinal Sean O'Malley of the Boston Archdiocese said. "I was worried they would lose the entire structure."
Tuesday morning’s mass at had roughly 2,000 people according to the Archdiocese of Boston. It is one of the largest crowds they say they’ve had for this yearly service, which included priests receiving anointing oils from Cardinal O’Malley.
The Cardinal shared thoughts on the Notre Dame fire, saying it is an amazing place he hopes can be restored.
In fact, the doors to Holy Cross just reopened last Sunday after a nearly $30 million renovation. Staff say there were no sprinkler systems or fire suppression before it.
Archdiocese of Boston on NEW Holy Cross fire suppression system:
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) April 16, 2019
-2-action system triggered by early detection and heat
-uses sophisticated laser beam 65-feet-high (detects smoke)
-sprinkler located at ceiling, engages attic system, sends water to pipes when triggered
.@boston25
"I don't think we had much of a fire suppression system," O'Malley said. "Now we have a sprinkling system and all of that has been replaced, and when they looked at the ancient wiring, they said it was a miracle that the place didn't burn down long ago.”
Boston Fire Marshal John Dempsey's department oversaw renovation work at Holy Cross, and said people don't recognize that the space between the ceiling and roof is an important part that needs to be hit by the sprinkler.
Dempsey said churches are viewed like all other buildings when renovations are completed.
"We look at it as a structure, not as a church," Dempsey said. "It doesn't get any special considerations from us, other than the height, which is normal.”
The height, he said, makes Holy Cross more comparable to TD Garden than local churches.
Many in Boston are thankful the Holy Cross Cathedral was renovated, and are hoping to keep it for centuries to come.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
