WATSONVILLE—A fire that severely damaged St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish on Oct. 17 was arson, Watsonville Police Department confirmed Tuesday.
Church officials say they have video footage of the arson occurring.
It was not clear Tuesday afternoon if there is any suspect information.
Pastor Jason Simas said in the church’s Facebook page that the fire occurred in the section of the wall between the piano and the organ.
The blaze damaged two stations of the cross, one stained glass window, the organ console and potentially the digital piano.
Additionally, there was water damage from efforts to quell the flames, requiring a restoration company to remove the carpet.
A leaking sprinkler will also have to be repaired, as will a hole in the roof made by firefighters to get water onto the blaze.
Simas predicts it will be at least two weeks before services can be held, with a full restoration possibly taking months.
Daily services will be held in the Serra Center, and weekend services will be held in the gym, Simas said.
This is a hate crime plain and simple and should be prosecuted as such! Demand equality for all religions at all times!
anyone destroying a church does not respect the first amendment, a guarantee to freedom of religion. I am sorry for the members of the church. cameras are a MUST for any church . I am sure that most churches in our county have them.