In the early morning hours of Sunday, a multiple alarm fire broke out in the interior of Church of the Messiah, in Central Islip. The building sustained catastrophic damage from fire, heat, and water. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will take fire investigators several days to assess.
The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island, arrived to the scene early this morning with Stuart Newby, Diocesan Director of Facilities, who immediately contacted the Church Insurance Company and made arrangements for the church building to be secured. Bishop Provenzano gathered with the congregation on the lawn for prayer, reminding them that they are the church, the building can be replaced. He then outlined what next steps will be taken to support them through this tragedy.
Please keep the parishioners of Church of the Messiah in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their 150 year old church building. Further updates will be made available as we move forward in this process.
We are grateful to the Central Islip Fire Department for their quick response and actions attempting to save the church building.
