Priest Recounts Horrifying Moment He Awoke to His Church on Fire in West Auckland
Priest Recounts Horrifying Moment He Awoke to His Church on Fire in West Auckland
A Catholic priest in Avondale, West Auckland, described the terrifying moment he awoke to find his church engulfed in flames.
At around 2 a.m., Father Andrew Matthew was jolted awake by the sound of popping glass. At first, he thought it was construction workers starting their day early. But as he stepped outside, the reality hit him—his church, St Mary’s Catholic Church, was on fire.
“All I could see was a sea of red flames,” Matthew said. “It’s a real shock.”
Matthew immediately called emergency services and rushed to the church’s car park, where he watched in horror as the building burned. The flames were so intense that the church’s roof melted, and brick walls collapsed. The heat was so intense that it could be felt from a distance.
Parishioners gathered in the car park, many in tears as they watched the destruction. Matthew said it was too early to make decisions about the future of the church, but he suggested the parish might join forces with another nearby congregation while plans for rebuilding are made.
“The church has been a vital part of the Avondale community for over 100 years,” said James van Schie, the Auckland Catholic Diocese general manager. “There are so many Aucklanders who trace their family history here—baptisms, funerals, weddings. It is a vibrant parish.”
Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene, with eight fire trucks responding at the peak of the blaze. Despite the challenges posed by thick fog, they managed to contain the fire and extinguish it.
“It’s completely hollowed out,” van Schie said. “The brickwork has collapsed, the roof has melted, and it has been completely hollowed out.”
Parents at the neighboring St Mary’s Catholic School were advised to keep their children home for the day, as the focus shifted to ensuring the site was safe.
Police are working with fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire. For now, the community is left in shock, trying to come to terms with the loss of a cherished landmark.
