St. John Vianney Catholic Church fire

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( Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / April 16, 2011 )

St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights stands gutted by a fire that began just after midnight and raged for about 2 1/2 hours.

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ScottyFlaim at 2:44 AM April 18, 2011

THe church will be bigger and better than ever and this will eventually be a blessing, much to to the dismay of the evil fire starter that took a church down.. what they failed to realize is that u can burn a church down but u cant burn a faith and a congression down. We will rise larger than ever and we will triumph in this time of adversity while u watch in amazement as uor actions had the opposite effect for u you a greater good for the lord and his followers.. Not only will Christ ride on Sunday but the church will rise nd be better than ever.

Thanks SJV for all you have bestowed on my family

Love the Flaim's

Scotty

kaikane at 10:50 PM April 17, 2011

I went to this church as a kid, CCD, communion, etc...I even volunteered a couple of times at Early California Days during my high school years. After high school, I left to college and eventually ended up in South Orange County where I live with my wife and 3 year old daughter. I have to admit I am not the churhgoer that my mother made me back in those days but when I saw these pictures it hit me right in the heart. My friends dad is Mr Leiser, the 82 year old usher quoted in the article, whom I recall seeing every sunday in church back when I was a kid running around trying to kill time until the mass ended.

I plan on making the drive and going back there next Sunday to do what I can physically and financially to see that this church, our church, gets rebuilt better and stronger. I urge other former Heights residents and parishioners to do the same.

1Luv4U2 at 3:54 PM April 16, 2011

These pictures are just so heartbreaking to see. As a former parisioner, I am heartbroken and saddened at the destruction of St. John Vianney. This is a wonderful parish with wonderful people and no doubt, they will rebuild and be a stronger church community for it.

The sanctuary itself may be gone, but it is only a building. The REAL church is in the parisioners. In their hearts, lives, spirit, and something devestating like this, while the physical signs are unbearable to watch and see, but these wonderful people will find a way to move on and celebrate Holy Week in the adjacent field and O'Callaghan Center (so named for the parish's founding prienst the late Msgr. James O'Callaghan).

Parishioners of St. John Vianney, you are in my prayers during this trying time.

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