St. Catherine of Siena parish finds hope in rebuilding

St. Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg just poured the foundation for its new church on August 17, 2025, just over two years after their old church burned. On August 31, pastor Fr. Jose Thomas carried out a ground blessing, praying that the Holy Spirit “be with us… that we may set aside individual differences and be united in one goal: to glorify you.” 

The fire, caused by exterior maintenance work according to Alaska Public Media, erupted on the sunny afternoon of July 6, 2023. According to KTOO, the church burned for 10 hours as firefighters controlled and finally extinguished the blaze. Parishioners and Fr. Thomas watched, feeling a mix of sadness and shock. Fr. Thomas called it a “nightmare for the St. Catherine’s family” because “the place where so many of our parishioners and their loved ones were baptized, confirmed, and married was consumed by fire in a matter of hours.” 

Now without a church to call their own, the roughly 60 parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena have had to alter their ways of living the faith, but Fr. Thomas assures us that, far from losing the faith, it has only grown.

During the fire, parishioners prayed rosaries, and later that evening, they gathered in the local gym to pray together and plan how to continue. 

New practices in the wake of this loss have strengthened their faith, such as the now monthly Eucharistic Adoration and renewed devotion to the Mass. They have composed a prayer for the rebuilding of their church, which according to Fr. Jose Thomas, asks “not only for the rebuilding of a physical structure but also for the renewal of our faith and commitment to the Christian call.” 

Other Christians in Petersburg were supportive as well, the Episcopalians permitting the Mass to be celebrated in their church for the first two weeks, then the Presbyterians taking over this generosity, still continuing to permit the Catholic community of Petersburg to gather for weekend Masses and their parish activities. 

According to Fr. Louis Renner, S.J., the first church building of St. Catherine of Siena parish was built sometime between 1929 and 1939 by Fr. Francis M. Monroe, S.J., who was then stationed in Wrangell and visiting the Catholic community of Petersburg regularly. His predecessor, Fr. Paul Kern, S.J., noted that the community comprised 29 men, 11 women, and six children. 

Subsequently, according to a previous North Star Catholic article, growth in the parish made necessary the construction of a second church in the 1960s, which was expanded in 1975 with a rectory and community hall, and in 1994 with three classrooms. 

Currently, the effort to rebuild the physical structure of the church began with a survey of the parishioners. After this, architect Rich Conneen was hired by the archdiocese to visit Petersburg and plan the new structure with the parish. 

Petersburg local, Jesse West, was chosen to lead the rebuilding, beginning May 1, 2025, with Roe Sturgulewski, coordinator of the archdiocesan building committee, overseeing the process. 

Fr. Thomas is happy with the collaboration between the archdiocese and the parish, sharing how the parishioners received great consolation when Archbishop Andrew E. Bellisario, C.M., granted their request to reuse the salvaged tabernacle and replicate the original crucifix and stained-glass windows.

The parish hopes their new church will be completed by the summer of 2026. With all they have learned in the absence of a church building, they hope for a “spiritual revival,” as their current facilities cannot accommodate their expanding zeal, particularly their desire to focus more strongly on the spiritual formation of the youth. They also desire to give back to the community in continuing their “soup Saturdays,” which fed the hungry in the community. 

Fr. Thomas said St. Catherine of Siena parish’s hope is that “the new church will stand as a visible sign of God’s presence in Petersburg — a beacon of faith, hope, love, for our parish and for all who enter its doors.” 

Please pray St. Catherine of Siena parish’s own prayer, that they may soon have a new church:

Heavenly Father, we come before you with heavy hearts, seeking your comfort and strength as we embark on the journey of rebuilding our church. Holy Spirit, breathe new life into our community as we join together to restore what has been damaged. Pour out your gifts of wisdom and discernment upon those involved in the planning and reconstruction. May their efforts be guided by your divine inspiration.

We pray for the hearts of our parishioners that this process of rebuilding may not only restore a physical structure but also renew our faith and commitment to you. Help us to see beyond the ashes and envision a place where your love and grace will continue to be proclaimed.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Mother Mary, please pray for us. St. Catherine of Siena, our Patroness Saint, please pray for us.