If the Rev. Michael Stein has one message for his congregation in the wake of a devastating fire that claimed the historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Beecher on Sunday in the midst of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, it is that Christ remains their focus.

“The building is gone, but the church remains,” Stein said. “The church is the people. Everyone is safe. We will continue to preach Christ’s love and mercy, even in horrible events like this. We can still find his love, his joy, his peace shining through in these dark times. That’s what our message is all about.”

But the community — not only of St. Paul’s but also the greater Lutheran congregation of the area — was still grieving the loss Monday.

The Rev. John Holyer, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing as well as a district circuit visitor for area Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod churches, was among those mourning the loss. News of the fire reached him after it started spreading around social media. He said it was devastating to learn about what happened.

“It was an older building — a gorgeous relic of an old church,” he said. “It’s just irreplaceable in so many respects, not just from the uniqueness but certainly how important it was to the people who were members there, going back generations of the families there that built the church. It’s just a big loss.”

The church was founded in Beecher in 1865, though the structure at 1407 W. Church Road was not started until the cornerstone was laid in May 1879, according to records. The building, which cost $3,375 at the time, was famously featured in the film “Road to Perdition.”

Stein said the Oktoberfest celebration was in full swing when the fire was first noticed. Just before people at the celebration realized something was wrong, Stein had taken a woman who was struggling with the heat inside the church for air conditioning.

“Whenever I came back out, whenever the EMT arrived to check her out, somebody just pointed, ‘Hey, pastor, the church

is on fire,’ ” he recalled. “I looked up and there was smoke coming out of the roof, so I came back in and called 911 again.”

The Beecher Fire Protection District had responded at 1:35 p.m. Sunday for the person who was feeling ill, and while EMS crews were treating her, they were alerted to the fire, according to a district news release. They immediately contacted Laraway Communications Center and started working on the fire response, beginning with evacuations.

The first fire company to reach the scene found heavy smoke and fire on the north end of the church in the area of the steeple. They called for more resources and attempted to enter into the south end, but found heavy smoke and fire in the vaulted ceiling of the chapel area, according to the news release.

The efforts then became defensive, with a total of 10 engine companies, five truck/tower ladders, 12 tenders, five ambulances and 11 chief officers on the scene. Because there are no fire hydrants near the church, the fire district said about 91,000 gallons of water were brought to the site to extinguish the fire.

Stein said the reaction during Oktoberfest was first one of disbelief, and then everyone jumped into action to pull tables, chairs and other party equipment away from the side of the building.

“There was no panic at all; everyone was cool,” he said. “I think that’s why nobody got hurt.”

No civilian injuries were reported in the fire, but one firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion, while three others were treated for injuries at the scene, according to the district. The hospitalized firefighter was released Sunday evening, fire Chief Joseph Falaschetti said.

Stein said St. Paul’s Lutheran in Beecher has about 175 members, and the fire district declared their place of worship a “total loss.”

Stein said that came as no surprise.

“There’s nothing left,” he said. “A little bit of the back wall is all that’s left, a little bit of the chimney.”

The news of the fire and the extent of its damage spread quickly, and there has been an outpouring of support online.

Holyer said the loss has reverberated through the Lutheran community, especially throughout the Southland.

“We’re all part of the same denomination and the same local group of churches,” Holyer said. “We get together on a regular basis. It’s all connected.”

The loss also struck people who are not members of St. Paul’s extended family but see the church as an important part of the community. Valerie Graniczny lives a mile down Church Road and has driven by St. Paul’s for more than 30 years.

“It was the most iconic church building in the area,” she said. “Often I would stop to photograph it. ... To hear of its destruction yesterday was extremely devastating. Sad doesn’t completely describe the feeling. Heartsick is more appropriate.”

Daniel Norred Sr. was driving by the church with another resident from the neighborhood when he saw the smoke and flames.

“As we got closer, we saw fire emergency personnel trying to get the fire out,” he said. “They were spraying water on the flames, but sadly the flames engulfed the entire church. I wasn’t a member of St. Paul on account that I am Catholic, but I do know that this church meant a lot to the community. Everybody in the village and or township wants to help to try to rebuild the church.”

Adam Milburn, of Lambert Monument Sales Inc., immediately offered his assistance.

“I was really shocked and sad to see the church had caught fire on what is usually such a special day for them,” Milburn said. “I never did attend the church myself. With running the monument business, I work closely with families from that church and also with the sextons of the cemetery.”

Beecher Village Administrator Robert Barber said the church is in a rural area outside of the village’s limits, but Beecher supplied water for the fire as tanker trucks filled up at a Beecher hydrant.

“The loss of this ornate, historical structure is tremendous,” Barber said. “It was one of the first buildings to be built in the township before Beecher was even incorporated.”

St. Paul’s regularly hosted an annual Halloween Trunk or Treat, which saw many Beecher Chamber of Commerce members participate. It also coordinates the Beecher Farmers Market. The chamber showed its concern via Facebook following the fire.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to all the first responders and parishioners who attend St Paul’s in Beecher,” the chamber posted.

St. Paul’s posted quotes from Hymn 467 from the Lutheran Hymnal intertwined with reflections on the fire, as well as thanks to the first responders who came out and to the community members who have offered their support. The church also posted an image of an open book featuring the music to “Christ Is Our Cornerstone.”

Stein came to the church in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he faces more challenging times for his congregation. He said he is thankful that the parsonage, a separate building from the church, was preserved. But he is expecting to be displaced for roughly a week as there is no power for the residence.

“It’s been a year,” he said.

But Stein said the congregation is part of the same community of believers in Jesus Christ that extends worldwide, and the reminders of that in the support shown in just 24 hours helps during trying times.

“I’ve had countless people email, text, call — reaching out offering prayers, peace and reminders of God’s love,” he said. “That is the most important thing.”

The church has stated its intention to rebuild, though leaders are awaiting more information about the fire and what insurance will cover. Stein said there are no formal fundraising efforts specific to the rebuilding, but there is a “donate” button on the church’s website, saintpaulsbeecher.com.

The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by Beecher Fire, the MABAS 27 Origin and Cause Team, the Illinois state fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.