December 2011, New Brunswick
Two individuals have been linked to the historic St. Ann’s Catholic Church fire in Kingsclear First Nation, New Brunswick, reports CBC News.
On December 11, 2011 the historic St. Ann’s church, 138-years old was burned down at roughly 2 a.m. The church was completely made of wood.
The two individuals in connection to the fire, a young woman and a young man were both 17 years old at the time of the fire and so will be tried as youths.
The young woman who faces her charges of arson and breach of probation is set to appear in court on April 5, while the young man is under review.
The church was the only Catholic church in Kingsclear First Nation, which is located outside of Fredericton. It was known as the “Miracle Church” as there are miraculous healings attributed to it.
The church served the community for a long time with sacraments and being a hub for them, it is a big loss.
Update:
According to CBC News, the St. Ann’s Catholic Church that been burned down now has been rebuilt.
During the church’s first service every pew and seat was filled. Some of the congregation stood at the back. A man named Michael Solomon who had been attending the church for his whole life attended the opening mass.
Solomon states that while the church could not be brought back after being burned down, it is best for the community to have had the church be built up again.