Church Rebuilding at Site After Arson

Members of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, forced out of their sanctuary in August when arson gutted the 50-year-old structure, will be able to worship in relative comfort by the end of the month, church officials said.

Congregants have withstood bitter cold and violent winds while observing Mass in a large tent set up on the Gilbert Avenue church yard.

“We almost blew out of the tent during Mass on Christmas Day,” Father Ignatius M. Kissel said. “The tent was flapping around and we weren’t protected.”

But a more secure, temporary structure is expected to be in place and open soon. The foundation has been poured for the steel-framed building that will house an altar, 800 cushioned chairs and wings for special sacraments. Workers are now pouring the concrete for the color-patterned floor, designed to improve the acoustics of the makeshift sanctuary.

“We’re scheduled to be in there the week of the 22nd,” Kissel said, pleased to be saying farewell to the drafty tent and the flimsy plastic folding chairs.

The sanctuary arson was the second case to strike the church last year. A smaller blaze in May caused $7,500 in damage to the church school.

The monetary amount of damage caused to the sanctuary has not been determined. Insurance adjusters are still working with the Catholic Diocese of Orange County to determine how much the church’s claim should be, Kissel said.

Police said Tuesday they have no leads in either arson investigation.