Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Ana Has Fire by Baptism

By Matt Coker Thu., Dec. 8 2011 at 9:01 AM

Categories: Gimme That OC Religion

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This is so weird: just a few weeks ago I was walking around the new construction to reach the sanctuary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana.

This morning, those portions being remodeled were totally lost in an overnight fire.

Santa Ana Fire got the call to the church at Third Street and Grand Avenue at 1:29 a.m. The fire was under control by 2:45 a.m. The sanctuary where masses are held suffered water and smoke damage.

The cause is unknown but, according to fire officials, not suspicious. There were no injuries.

The Spanish-language church is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Anyone with information that can help fire investigators is asked to call Santa Ana Fire Department at 714.647.5700.

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I love my church. It will look nice when everything is finished.
The church was being retrofitted for earth quake compliance and was empty the other half was saved thanks in part by firefighters and a fire wall
Always gotta love my fanboys who opine about me when I have nothing to do with a story! Top_man: Never claimed Brownie would shut down the non-Delhi Guadalupe parish—can you show me where? And I'm sure you thought Brownie did everything possible to stop pedo-priests, too!
Gustavo is full of it. When it comes to making up things, count on Gustavo the 'ASK A MEXICAN' to get BS funny answers. Oh well laughter is better than BS from a guy who it appears has seen many PBS shows. They say the pen is mightier than the sword, yet I can see the writing on Gustavo's wall written with a limp pen filled with runny ink. Must be all the frijoles and chile he consumes.
How does a fire start accidentally at one in the morning? The priest had time to recover some articles from the church, how did he get there just in time? Something is rotten in Tepeyac (original place of lady of Guadalupe appearance), or in Santa Ana.
Gustavo said that bishop brown would most likely shut this place down in the wake of the big money spent on the crystal cathedral. Now that its burned down i wonder if he will print a story saying the bishop was behind it.
And here come the Know Nothings...
It would be better if you solicit money from Mexico. The church was decorated with Mexican flags and their trooping of the color. . .you will not see one USA flag there. Yes my sentiment also goes to the parishioners but they are not running the church.
I really felt bad about the Lady of Guadalupe, Sta., Ana that burned. However, when I watched the evening news on ABC-7, I saw scenes from the inside where services were being held, at first my thoughts were of another fire of a church in Mexico. The entire area around where the service was being held was covered in Mexican flags and banners with the Mexican colors, then I realized this is Santa Ana, Orange County, California, USA. Dear God, that is my tax money giving that church their tax free status. Would it not be nice and polite to have shown appreciation to United States Citizens and instead have a church full of USA flags? I don't care if your service is in Spanish or Nahuatl but please consider who is harboring and protecting you from the evils in Mexico.
Its heart breaking my mom had so much faith in that' church and we still do....
Yup, this is a favorite of mine too.
Tell her just to go up there today. Speak ti someOne in the office. There has to be somebody there. Especially after this tragic incedent
does anyone know how to get a hold of the church. a friend of mine is supposed to have the baptism there on saturday, and she doesnt know who to contact and how to contact them
This is devasting to me. This is my childhood church, which I treasure and come back to to when I feel sad, happy, encourged and just to meditate. I made my first communion and got married there. I hope the main alter was not affected. I challenge anyone that has any connection to this wonderful parish to contribute to the rebuilding.
Very sad news.