By Christina Leslie | Correspondent
A fire at St. Ann Parish, Browns Mills, may have put plans for its annual carnival in peril, but it has not shaken the faith or the resolve of the small Burlington County faith community.
Just before 2 p.m. on June 17, a fire of unknown origin broke out at the parish on Trenton Road. Flames soon engulfed and completely destroyed the three-car garage, a storage trailer and its contents. The rectory, though intact, sustained damage to its rear vinyl siding.
Pemberton Township firefighters battled the blaze and declared it under control by about 3:15 p.m.; it was ruled accidental.
“It could have been worse,” said Father Edwin J. Mathias, pastor of St. Ann Parish. “Had there been a wind, the rectory would have caught fire immediately.”
In a Facebook post later that evening, he expressed his gratitude to all who assisted with the fire and had shown concern for the tragedy.
“We are eternally grateful that there were no injuries or loss of life, and we thank Jesus Christ for protecting us,” the post read. “Everything lost today can be replaced. The fact that there were no injuries or loss of life is of paramount importance… Please continue to keep us in your prayers during this difficult time. God bless all of you.”
In addition to lawn maintenance equipment and the parish’s large outdoor Nativity set, the trailer contained about 80 percent of the equipment needed for the annual parish carnival. Fryers, tables, grills, refrigerators and a freezer had all been lost to the flames.
The property and buildings were insured by the Diocese, noted Joseph Bianchi, diocesan executive director of human resources, and the parish has been advanced $50,000 to date. Estimates show it will take $250,000 to rebuild the garage, repair the rectory and replace the trailer and its contents.
“We now have just seven weeks to get ready for the annual carnival that is much desired and appreciated by the township,” Father Mathias wrote of the event slated for Aug. 15 through 19. “I know I can rely on you for your support.”
Joe Tierney, parishioner and carnival committee member, had been one of the onlookers at the fire that Saturday afternoon. He was surprised by the rapid advance and destructive power of the flames, but was resolved to do what he could to assure the beloved event would continue.
Tierney noted this year marked the 61st parish carnival. “I don’t want to be one of a group who stops it. We have to keep going. People love this; they come from the parish and the community and get the chance to see each other.”
After about 48 years of hosting the carnival on the St. Ann Parish grounds, Pemberton Township offered the parish use of land alongside the municipal building at 500 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road. The trailer had been used to transport the carnival equipment to the grounds, but other arrangements will have to be made this year.
“The people in the community have been wanting to help, but we don’t want to have our hands out and solicit donations,” Tierney said. “Just tell people to buy our raffle tickets and come to the carnival.”
For more information on the carnival or how you can help, call 609-893-3246.