Service to Mark Arson at Church Last Year

Parishioners of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church will hold a memorial prayer service tonight marking the first anniversary of a fire that destroyed their 50-year-old sanctuary.

Investigators declared the fire to be the result of arson, but no suspects have been identified.

The blaze was the second arson incident at the church, a smaller blaze in May 2000 having caused $7,500 in damage to the church school.

Today’s 7 p.m. service, which will include Scripture readings in four languages, will start in temporary facilities on the property. Priests will then lead a candlelight procession around the church’s ruins.