St. Paul Church Closer To Rebuilding After Fundraiser

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A St. Paul church victimized by arson is a step closer to being rebuilt following a successful fundraiser Saturday night.

The administration wing of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church burned on Dec. 12, 2014, and church board member Tom Schroeder was overwhelmed by the number people who showed up for Saturday's event.

"I was behind the bar counter, we went through 850 cups," he said. "I bet there were at least 450 people that cycled through at one point or another."

When the party ended at CPSP Hall, just down West 7th St. from the church, the event's treasurer had donations totaling more than $20,000.

"We haven't counted all of the checks that were in those contribution boxes that were arranged throughout the hall," Schroeder said. "It was our most significant fund-raiser in the church's history."

The building dates to the late 1950s, and money raised will not only rebuild the parts that burned but also make improvements. It's not known how much the repairs and updates will cost the members who attend service at the church, located across the street from the historic Mancini's Char House.

"We really hadn't set any particular goals, it certainly exceeded our expectation," Schroeder said of the donations, adding that the outpouring of support is more than just putting a building back together.

"It's about neighborhood," he said. "It's about people banding together in a time of crisis, and really showing their love and support for the community."

St. Mark sustained substantial damage from the fire, not just from the flames but from the smoke.  Schroeder said pastor Walt Weitzke "lost everything" in his office. The man accused of setting the fire turned himself into police not long after crews doused the flames.

Contributions to help repair the church can be sent to the "Saint Mark Fire Fund" at BankCherokee, 607 Smith Ave. S., St. Paul, MN, 55107. Donations are tax-deductible. Call 651-227-7071 for more information, or contact Ann Blumer-LaMotte at 612-328-5641. You can also email her.