People in the crowds, both men and women, who had gathered near the fire had tears running down their cheeks … recalling family baptisms, first communions, confirmations, graduation ceremonies, weddings, funerals and holy days.

When I was attending St. Bernard’s School there were then three full-time priests assigned to that huge parish: Monsignor Clarence Kitts, Father Argy and Father O’Connor.

The rectory was a beautiful old white house next to the church connected by a short sidewalk.

Masses on Sunday were at 6 a.m. 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There were no masses on Saturday. There were many empty seats at the 6 a.m. Mass, not only on Sunday but also when we attended that early Mass “Making the First Fridays” — ask your Catholic friends what that means. The Mass at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday would be quite crowded but the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. ones would be standing room only in that 800-seat church.

Pictured is the story I wrote about the fire in 1967.

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Fire, smoke and stone: St. Bernard’s Church fire was 50 years ago