One Year Later, St. Paul’s Pastor Reflects On Devastating Fire

OCEAN CITY — The one-year anniversary of the tragic fire at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea in Ocean City was remembered this week with special services as well as numerous personal reflections, including one this morning.

“We acknowledge our grief and proclaim our faith in God’s love and reconciliation. We recognize the importance of acknowledging the past, no matter how difficult or tragic, but we also believe in looking forward to the future. We believe that God has many good things in store for St. Paul’s by-the-Sea. We are more committed to our ministry to the community than ever before,” said The Rev. Dr. Mark B. Cyr on this week’s three services of “Remembrance and Healing” that were held on Tuesday and Wednesday in DeWees Hall on the St. Paul’s campus.

On the morning of Nov. 26, 2013, emergency crews responded to the St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church for a reported active fire. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the church’s rectory was ablaze and immediately realized there were rescues to be made.

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