At 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, this text message lit up Pastor Cari Patterson Glyndon’s cell phone.
Members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Altadena, where Patterson Glyndon is pastor, sent in images of the sanctuary. It was ablaze – a victim of the raging Eaton Fire.
The building has been around since 1949, and the community dates back to 1906.
“It was incredibly devastating that the fire was still burning and the church and campus were unprotected,” Patterson-Grindon said. “It was very difficult to learn about the destruction through photographs.”
Patterson Glyndon, her husband and daughter were evacuated Tuesday night after a fire broke out within a few blocks of their home in Altadena.
The next day, they learned that St. Mark’s Basilica was not alone in its fate. At least 11 other churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and religious sites have been completely destroyed in a series of fires that have swept through Southern California.
The loss of religious institutions is compounded by the individual suffering of the group. Some congregations announced that up to three-quarters of their members lost their homes and schools in the firestorm.
But even though the wounds of these losses are still fresh, rebuilding and fundraising efforts are underway.
In addition to its sanctuary, St. Mark’s lost its 70 employees and an adjacent school with 325 students ranging from preschool to sixth grade. Ms Patterson-Grindon said she believed at least 40 members were also left homeless.
But even such carnage gave way to a little mercy.
The only part of the elementary school that didn’t burn was a brand new preschool that was just built, thanks in part to an $8.5 million capital effort.
“When the principal and I found out the school had survived, we thought it was a miracle,” Patterson-Grindon said. “In this terrifying landscape, it was a ray of hope and a gift to build upon.”
The church has established a relief fund on the website saintmarksaltadena.org.
Here is a list of other religious sites reported to have been destroyed in the firestorm:
Altadena Community Church (Altadena)
The more than 80-year-old community church is a total loss, a website confirmed.
Altadena Church of the Fountain of Life (Altadena)
The destruction of the church was confirmed on Facebook by Nazareth Mercy Ministries. The ministry said some local residents were also left homeless.
The ministries have established a donation website (give.ncm.org/donate/140061).
Altadena United Methodist Church (Altadena)
“Our hearts are broken,” Pastor Andre Wilson said after confirming on Facebook that the more than 100-year-old faith community had lost a church in the Eaton fire.
At least 50% of families of the faith are homeless, according to the Rev. Garth Gilliam, Northern District Director of the California Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church.
“God is with us and closer than ever to us,” Wilson wrote on Facebook. “So we’re going to grieve what we’ve lost. We’re going to comfort each other. We’re going to support and help each other through this.”
Donations can be made at advanced.umcmission.org/p-620-umcor-us-disaster-response-and-recovery.aspx.
Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center (Pasadena)
Bishop Dr. Charles Dorsey acknowledged the institution’s complete loss Wednesday in an emotional Facebook Live discussion that would normally have been a Bible study lecture.
The center was founded by Dorsey and his wife, Lisa, and has existed for more than 20 years.
The center has established a GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-restore-lifeline-fellowship-of-altadena
Pasadena Church of Christ (Pasadena)
One member of the congregation told The Christian Chronicle on Tuesday that the church had been destroyed.
Corpus Christi Church (Pacific Palisades)
The church held its first Mass in 1964, but the history of the local Roman Catholic community dates back to the first parish meeting in 1950. At the top of the church’s website is a photo of a burnt-down church frame with the ominous caption: “I have nothing.” words. Our beautiful church in Pacific Palisades this morning. Praying for my hometown, LAFD, and everyone affected by this terrible fire. ”
Paul Escala, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, confirmed that the kindergarten through eighth grade school attached to the church sustained significant damage and part of the roof was burnt. The building will remain, but 154 students and 29 staff members will be expended at other schools while repairs are carried out.
Donations can be made to lacatholics.org/california-fires. Please write “Corpus Christi” in the notes section.
Masjid Al-Taqwa (Altadena)
The mosque has served Altadena residents for more than 30 years, and its total membership has grown from a few dozen to 200, according to internal statistics. The building had just been renovated just before the fire. Approximately $500,000 has been raised through fundraising efforts so far.
To donate, visit launchgood.com/v4/campaign/help_restore_our_beloved_masjid_in_altadena.
Martel Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center (Sierra Madre)
The Catholic Center celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, but suffered major damage this week. Two groups of nearly 60 people had to be evacuated, Angelus News reported.
Donations can be made to lacatholics.org/california-fires. Please write “Marter Dolorosa” in the notes section.
Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church
A Facebook post on Wednesday mentioned the destruction of the church.
“I am firmly in the knowledge that the church is not about buildings or physical spaces, but about the people of the church and the community of faith,” one of the church’s pastors, the Rev. Grace Park, wrote on Instagram. Ta.
Donations can be made at secure.myvanco.com/L-Z6YC/campaign/C-15ASR.
Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (Pasadena)
The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, a synagogue and preschool that has served the Pasadena area for more than 100 years, was one of the many structural damages caused by the Eaton Fire.
“There are many members who have already lost their homes, and there are many members whose homes are next to the ones that are on fire,” executive director Melissa Levy told the Times earlier this week. “We’re trying to focus on our employees right now, and then we’ll get to the building.”
Donations can be made at pjtc.net/payment.php.
St. Matthew Parish School (Pacific Palisades)
The Anglican church for which the school takes its name was severely damaged but still stands. The school, which had 70 teachers and 334 students ranging from preschoolers to eighth graders, was destroyed. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is still developing plans for students and teachers to complete the remainder of the school year, according to school administrator Ryan Newman.
However, the school and church claim at least 75% of their members were left homeless in the Palisades fire.
“God’s will has nothing to do with this fire,” said Los Angeles Episcopal Bishop John Taylor. “God’s will is urgent for people to come together and dedicate themselves to each other’s healing.”
Fundraisers can be made at diocesela.org/annual-appeal.
