We had Stake Conference today (video broadcast) and during it a woman in front of me got a text message and she started sobbing. Then I got a note from someone that the Longfellow Chapel was on fire and another friend sent a text. Before the closing prayer Clayton Christensen stood up and announced that the chapel was on fire and suggested that we not run down there. My friend and I decided to go and I'm glad we did. After 3 hours (it started around 10:30am -- with 3 singles wards in the building) the fire was still going. They suspect it was an electrical problem. They Stake Presidency will be meeting at 4:00pm today to make some decisions about where the wards will meet and how to handle things.
Here is a link to some of my photos (taken with my small camera).
And here is a link to Boston.com.
22 comments:
We just got home from church and I was reading about it in the Deseret News. I went to your blog to see if it was your building. I think this is the chapel we visited when there in '96. Across the street form Longfellow's home and near Harvard?
Glad all made it out safely.
I'm glad we went, but such a sad day.
SAD! Neat pictures though, sweet to see the firemen loading the pictures out.
That is such a cute ward building!
Your photos are better than any I've seen in news coverage. Was Brian working? So glad everyone was safe. Still sad to lose that gorgeous chapel steeped in history.
You have great pictures. It's sad to see this building destroyed by fire though. wonder where they're going to put the three wards.
We (Nate, Marshall, Britt etc)have been checking your blog like every 30 minutes, because we knew you'd have pictures up soon. That is so sad. I have such fond memories with that building. Glad everyone is safe.
I just sent you an e-mail with more photos!
It all seemed unreal until I saw your photos, Ellen. What a huge loss. I'm just heartbroken looking at the pictures of the chapel window. So many childhood memories...not to mention that I met Chris for the first time in that chapel.
I still can't believe this happened! It's so sad. We have so many fond memories of that building.
Sometimes fire just stinks rotten.
so sad. thanks for posting the link to your pictures.
I am so so so sad. It was hard to look at your pictures, but I am so glad I did. That chapel has been so important to me and my family and has so many memories. It's a sad day.
What a shame. Thanks for the pictures . . . and for keeping us all up to date on the Boston news.
Thanks for the pictures. As always, you've captured the essence of what was happening.
I was baptized in that building and have fond memories of it. I'm so glad that everyone made it out safely.
The parking spots in front of that chapel are my good luck parking spots in Harvard Square. I saw this on the news last night; very sad. :( It is so fortunate that no one was hurt!
I just told my Mom about the chapel, and she said that she was baptized there and her Dad helped build it. So sad!
...actually, it was a good time if you are going to have a fire. You wouldn`t have that bucket brigade of helpers to save the books if it was 3:00 am.
glad you took some pictures, ellen. someone at church told me yesterday (as nate was simultaneously texting me) and I surprised myself by crying...but so many memories there, including meeting nate. I know they'll rebuild, but it's not the same. just so grateful no one was hurt. anyway, thanks for venturing down and taking pics. talk to you later!
Ellen, I'm so sorry for your loss and everyones' sadness. So belssed no one was hurt. WOW. Y'all hang in there. Carla (send those pictures in to the Church News)
that is so sad! (on an ironic note: we had our fire alarm go off right after sacrament meeting on sunday! although it turned out to be nothing.)
I attended that chapel from birth until about age 12, until the Belmont chapel was built. I was baptized in that font and have tons of memories of primary, taking sacrament in "jr Sunday School" (that was back in the day), Christmas Nativity performances, Spook Alley in the basement at Halloween, sitting in the "cry room", climbing up on the huge rocks outside- at least they seemed huge to me. I have really cute pictures of me on Easter when I was about a year and a half with little white gloves on standing under the magnolia tree at the chapel. I especially love the round window. I really hope they save that, it gave the building so much personality.
Lots of memories, and it is a sad loss.
That is so sad! What a beautiful building! Those pictures look really good despite your "small camera." I think you could get amazing pictures with a disposable camera!!
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