Imagine your church in flames, black smoke billowing from the blown-out wall.
Imagine walking through the aftermath, the interior stained with black soot.
Imagine four years of uncertainty, worshiping in borrowed quarters and agonizing about how to move forward.
Now, imagine a new church, larger and more beautiful than the previous one, reflecting God’s presence in a community that has been wavering in faith.
This is the story of destruction and resurrection in Malakoff, Texas.
The fire
In 1996 the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, had been established for only 10 years and was sparsely populated with Catholics — true mission territory — when a group of 60 asked the bishop for a church in Malakoff, a town with a population of just 2,000.
With tight funding, the church, Mary Queen of Heaven, was fashioned from a former leather factory, a 10,000-square-foot metal building donated by its owner. Bricks were placed on the facade, and partitions were added inside to divide the area into church, classrooms and parish hall. The space was serviceable but not inspiring.
In 2013, a man driving down the church’s country road suddenly lost consciousness and slammed into the church’s sacristy. The pastor managed to pull the man from the car, but the spilled gasoline caused a fire that destroyed the church.
After the fire, the parishioners set off to rebuild. In this impoverished area, they wanted something beautiful.
Resurrection
Recovery came slowly. Over the next four years, insurance money was settled. The parish received a $25,000 matching grant from Catholic Extension Society. A fundraising gala gave a big boost. A former pastor, Father Anthony McLaughlin, returned to the parish to oversee construction.
The construction crew and volunteers worked meticulously on design and details. In December 2015, parishioners became more optimistic as construction started.
A few scarred furnishings from the old church were restored, including the altar and Stations of the Cross.
Stained glass windows were created, including scenes depicting the glorious mysteries, the prodigal son and Christ the high priest.
The parish commissioned a copy of “The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin by the Blessed Trinity,” a painting by 17th-century Spanish artist Diego Velázquez. It is now the centerpiece of the church, placed prominently above the altar.
“This church is built to honor its patroness,” Father McLaughlin said. “The Blessed Virgin is a sign of great hope and a model of what can happen when we are faithful.”
“The entire church has a noble simplicity,” he added. “Everything is so well-placed that it soothes the mind and elevates the soul.”
The new church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Strickland in January of 2016.
The rebuilding project has brought together its roughly 125 families, a mixed group of white parishioners, who are mainly retired, and younger Hispanics with families, who work in agriculture, ranching and construction. At the dedication Mass, pictured below, the diversity of the parish was on full display.
Sally Keenan, a parishioner, said, “Humans long for beauty and transcendence. Especially in areas that struggle, beauty speaks to the inner self and impacts the whole community.”
“Henderson County is one of the poorest in Texas,” she said. “To have something beautiful speaks about how we see God and His transcendence. Our church is an outward symbol of the importance of beauty and God in our lives.”
You can support church rebuilding efforts like the 2015 rebuild of Mary Queen of Heaven.
