I knew the people at St. David’s Episcopal church before I knew the folks at Grace Cathedral, where I am a member.
Today St. David’s sanctuary was destroyed in a fire that investigators have said was arson, and my heart is aching for the people in that parish. It was a beautiful building, with a wonderful organ, some windows from France, and a stylized crucifix over the altar titled “Christus Rex”, a one of a kind.
As I said in the title, it was the church building that was destroyed, not the church. The living, breathing heart of the congregation is still there. It’s the people that make the church, not a beautiful building.
But oh, it hurts, especially to know it was arson. Nothing lasts forever, we know that in our heads, but our hearts are another matter.
I became acquainted with St. David’s in the early 90’s, when Fred Phelps and Company were first picketing. A group of friends of mine got together, and we held a rally at Gage Park, as the WBC picketed(in those days) mostly at an intersection by the park. So one Sunday we got there first. Beforehand we’d sent out letters to every church in Topeka, inviting them to stand with us and spread the REAL Christian message. Members from only three churches came(as groups), and one of the three was St. David’s. They sent six or seven people, AND they wore shirts(from their softball team) identifying themselves!!!
That started a campaign against them by the WBC, arguably the first picketing of a particular church in Topeka. I stood on many a counter-picket line with the folks from St. David’s, getting to know them, and attending church with them. When I made the decision to leave my own church I considered joining there, but ended up at Grace Cathedral(the cathdral church for the Kansas Episcopal diocese) instead.
I have two certificates on my wall, given to me when the formal counter-picketing ended. It took an injunction to keep the WBC away during services. The certificates were granted to people who’d stood on the line a lot. One’s kind of humorous actually, saying that I am a “Certified Public Witness” against bigotry. Hee!
It’s going to take a long time to rebuild. There’s a Lutheran church on the opposite side of the intersection, and I’ve heard they will lend their space for services on Sunday afternoon. So at least there’s someplace close to go.
I am going to try to pray for whoever would committ such a heinous act. I hope to succeed.
