New Hampshire Church Ready to Reopen after Arson Repairs

August 7, 2008

A Laconia, New Hampshire church that was the target of an arsonist two months ago is set to re-open this weekend after extensive repairs.

Father Adrien Longchamps expects the Sacred Heart Church to be ready for its first Mass Saturday afternoon.

In May, a Laconia woman allegedly set fire to both altars and the carpet, causing almost $250,000 in damage. Since then, Longchamps has been celebrating Mass in the parish hall next door.

In addition to the fire repairs, Longchamps said the 117-year old church has undergone extensive refurbishing, including a paint job that will make its gold stenciling stand out for the first time in 50 years.

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Information from: The Citizen