ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Saint Matthew Church will be closed again today. Parish leaders tell Fox 11 they’re still cleaning up and repairing the fire damage.
Investigators say an 18-year-old-man broke into the church Wednesday morning, firefighters said they found a small fire burning in the entryway of the chapel.
It was originally reported that the suspect set fire to some paperwork and a bible, but Father Kabot said a bible was not set on fire, and he doesn’t believe the church was specifically targeted.
Father Kabot also said he’ll be sending a card to the suspect on behalf of the church letting him know he’s in their thoughts and prayers.
The exact amount of damage done to the church is still unknown, but a restoration company is in the process of cleaning the building and working to eliminate the lingering smell of smoke.
Officials also said they will also need to replace their window and carpet inside the building and plan to have that complete as soon as possible.
