Gutted in fire, Pune church looks to meet Easter deadline

For the parish of St Andrew’s Hindustani Covenant Church on Solapur Road,  Christmas was a gloomy affair. The church was gutted in a mystery fire in the last week of November, days ahead of the festival. The funds for restoration which the state government promised to provide are yet to arrive but the congregation is resolved to restore the church before they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter (April 8).

The 150-year-old church caught fire on the morning on November 28, destroying its much-admired wooden benches, walls and designed roof. Within a month, the church authorities started its restoration work and it is estimated that it will cost more than Rs one crore. Of this, the church has been able to raise Rs30 lakh in the form of contributions and donations and the restoration work has
begun.
Talking to DNA, Pastor Sachin Masih said “It has been God’s blessings that we have been able to collect at least this amount. Church members and other churches and Christians of the city have come forward and helped us and this is how the God’s house will stand up.’’

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and home minister RR Patil had visited the church after the fire and promised to grant funds to restore the church. However, when questioned whether the promised funds had been disbursed, Masih said  “They had promised, but we have not yet received any communication from the chief minister’s office. We waited but then decided to start the work on our own.’’

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s (Mahadiscom) officials had previously declared that the cause of fire was not a short circuit and forensic experts have not yet submitted their report.

Senior police inspector Bajirao Mohite of Wanavdi police station said “Investigations so far have not revealed any conspiracy in the burning of the church. The investigations are on.’’

Civil engineer GA Bhilare, who is working on the restoration of the church, feels the time tested quality construction of the church will help restore the church in less time and at a lesser cost. “The walls of the church are very strong. These walls will stand erect for another 500 years. We have to work specially on the roof that was damaged completely and of course, the doors, windows and the furniture.’’

Another officer-bearer of the church, Rev Jyotirmay said, “The work of the stained glass at the altar has been awarded to a firm in Pune. I am confident that 200 families that form the congregation at the church, would be able to worship in the completely restored church on Easter that falls on April 8 this year.’’

Pastor Masih said, “We are aiming to finish the work by end of March and the rest is God’s grace. Hopefully, we would be able to meet the self imposed deadline and worship in the church which will be restored preserving the
old charm.’’