Thirty-first in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison
The cornerstone of St. Raphael Church in Madison was laid in 1854. It was later to become the cathedral church of the newly erected Diocese of Madison in 1946.
A week-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone was held culminating in a Mass at the cathedral on October 3, 2004.
The original steeple was added to St. Raphael Church in 1882. In the fall of 2004, shortly after the 150th anniversary celebration, the 90-foot spire, which was in poor condition, was taken down and replaced with a new spire which included a new cross, new bell added to the existing two bells, and new lighting.
The new spire was the first step in what was anticipated to be a multi-million-dollar refurbishment of the cathedral.
Tragic fire
Unfortunately, just a few months later, a tragic fire sadly destroyed St. Raphael Cathedral on March 14, 2005.
As Catholic Herald reporter Julianne Nornberg said from the site of the fire, “Smoke billowed out of the roof, spire, and bell tower at the 150-year-old St. Raphael Cathedral early March 14 after a fire broke out there, only a few months after the new spire was raised.”
The fire began at 5:32 a.m., and the Madison Fire Department was on the scene by 5:39 a.m., where they worked to control the two-alarm fire, shooting water at it from the hoses of four ladder trucks.
The fire destroyed the roof, which collapsed into the church. Msgr. Paul J. Swain, rector of the cathedral, watched outside as the firefighters worked. Other than the effects of smoke, the rectory, where the parish records were stored, was reported to be in good shape.
In a special moment, firefighters went into the cathedral and cut through debris to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle. It was then taken to St. Patrick Church, located nearby in downtown Madison.
“We have a significant loss here,” said Monsignor Swain. “But our faith is more than a building.”
Many cathedral parishioners came to the scene of the fire to see if they could help. “This is painful to see,” said parishioner Charles Scott.
Bishop expresses gratitude
In a statement issued on March 15, Bishop Robert C. Morlino said, “In light of the tragic destruction of our Cathedral Church, St. Raphael, through fire, I want to express first of all my deepest gratitude to the Lord that there was no loss of human life connected with this tragedy.
“I am also particularly grateful for the safety of Monsignor Swain, who was able to leave the rectory shortly after the fire broke out, and I continue to be most grateful for his capable, on-site management of this tragedy.
“Secondly, let me express my deepest gratitude to all in the greater Madison community who have communicated to me or to my staff how much they care for us in this loss that we have suffered.
“This kind of human solidarity brings a peacefulness which is God’s gift through caring human beings. I am also most grateful to all the civil servants, particularly the firefighters and the police who have assisted us in bringing the fire under control and keeping all people safe.”
Fire result of arson
An investigation by the Madison Fire Department’s joint Fire/Police Investigation Team determined that the fire at the cathedral on March 14 was the result of arson. A 42-year-old Lodi man, William Connell, was charged with the arson.
He admitted to the charge. He allegedly broke into the church with a crowbar and stole a bottle of wine. He set the fire in a room in the church’s steeple area.
A mental competency evaluation of Connell was ordered. He was described as a transient who had been arrested in other states and was also charged with defrauding an innkeeper in Madison.
After the arrest of Connell, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said, “This fire was a tragedy not only for members of St. Raphael’s Cathedral, but for the entire community. Today’s arrest will not bring St. Raphael’s back, but it is an important step towards closing the book on this unhappy chapter in our city’s history.”
Bishop Morlino and Monsignor Swain visited Connell in the summer of 2006 and assured him that he was forgiven. Bishop Morlino wrote of the visit, “Mr. Connell did go on very genuinely to express his sorrow for what happened and his hope that the Cathedral will be rebuilt.”
Connell’s first evaluation indicated that he was competent to proceed in the legal process, even though he had a history of mental illness.
However, at a competency hearing on August 26, 2005, he was ordered to Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison to undergo treatment and further evaluation.
He was later sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of state supervision because he was considered a danger to the public.
Future of cathedral
Bishop Morlino said the future of the cathedral would be examined by looking at the whole picture, the needs of the diocese, and the status of the cathedral in the community. Town hall meetings were held in various areas of the diocese for people to express their thoughts about the cathedral. Bishop Morlino also welcomed written comments.
In May, parishioners of St. Raphael Cathedral Parish met to pray and discuss how to move forward.
After the cathedral fire, diocesan liturgies were held at St. Patrick and Holy Redeemer Churches in downtown Madison as well as at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison.
More on the future of the cathedral will be included in future articles.
Source: Archives of the Catholic Herald newspaper.
Mary C. Uhler served on the staff of the Catholic Herald-Diocese of Madison for almost 47 years, the last 34 years as editor. She retired in July of 2020.