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St. David's, Topeka, begins clean-up, sets Sunday worship times
Fire officials seek public's help in catching arsonist; rewards announced

A Topeka police officer hands a flier to a motorist at the intersection adjacent to St. David's, Topeka, on Nov. 15, asking for the public's help in catching the arsonist who set the fire that heavily damaged the church Nov. 10. Photo by Melodie Woerman

By Melodie Woerman
Diocesan director of communications

TOPEKA (Nov. 15) - While officials at St. David's, Topeka, began the process of picking up pieces of parish life after an arson fire that heavily damaged the church on Nov. 10, fire officials took to the streets Nov. 15 in an attempt to gain information about the blaze.

Fire and police officers handed out about 3,000 fliers to motorists at the intersection adjacent to St. David's, seeking anyone who might have been in the area between 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 and 5 a.m. Nov. 10, the hours before the fire was discovered.

Mike Martin, a fire investigator, told the Topeka Capital-Journal, "We're taking advantage that this incident took place at one of the biggest intersections in town. We're hoping to jog some memories."

The flier also announced a reward of up to $5,000 from the Kansas Committee on Arson Prevention for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the St. David's fire. People were urged to call the Topeka Fire Department at (785) 368-2488, CrimseStoppers at (785) 234-0007 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-KSCRIME.

St. David's announced on Nov. 15 that they, too, are offering a reward, of $10,000. That money comes from a special provision in the church's insurance policy.

Clean-up continues
A professional cleaning company, Servicemaster Clean, already is hard at work clearing out the parish hall and offices. They have filled a large dumpster that sits in the church parking lot with debris, including soggy carpets and damaged ceiling tiles.

Senior warden Margaret Telthorst said many people have asked about the 15-foot-tall Christus Rex that hangs behind the church's altar. She said it did suffer some damage, and after it is cleaned its status can be better assessed. The bronze-and-mosaic sculpture, a cross with the risen Christ robed in priestly vestments, was created by Lindsborg artist Lester Raymer.

A building engineer was to be on site Nov. 14 to help determine the integrity of the church walls and other portions of the structure.

A temporary office has been set up in a house the church owns just west of its parking lot. Phone lines and Internet cable have been installed, so the church office can be reached at its usual phone number, (785) 272-5144. Service times set for coming weekend
Service times announced for coming weekend
The church also has announced times and locations of worship services this weekend.

Saturday, Nov. 18 - in the chapel at Grace Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Avenue
5 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

Sunday, Nov. 19 - at the Masonic Lodge, 30th and MacVicar
8 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
Breakfast and Sunday school following
10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist

Plans for coming weeks will be set soon.