The Fire

January 2000, at a St. Johnsville Village Board meeting, Fire Chief Jamie Carter said, "The best save the St. Johnsville Fire Department ever made was Indian Castle Church. My father forgot he was supposed to take the longer way around, that the bridge on the shortest route was not safe for the heavy truck. Too late he realized his mistake but decided it would waste too much time to turn around and he used the bridge anyway. The bridge held, the truck arrived on the scene precious minutes earlier than if the longer route had been taken. I am still in awe over Indian Castle Church being saved."

The old Mindenville bridge has since been closed because it is unsafe. That bridge is a one lane, shaky structure, scary to go over by car and it is amazing it held that big rig.

On November 30, 1979, an arsonist set Indian Castle Church on fire. Here are some excerpts from the Little Falls newspaper, The Evening Times. By Ralph Weir, who heard the fire alarm and went right over to the scene of the fire.

Fire Badly Damages Historic Indian Castle Church

Apparently Work of an Arsonist

The historic Indian Castle Church was extensively damaged by fire last night, apparently the work of an arsonist.

The interior of the edifice, built by Sir William Johnson in 1769, was destroyed, but valiant efforts of three fire departments were successful in saving the outer walls and the belfry.

Firemen and others first at the scene reported that there was the odor of gasoline, and cans later were found which may have been used to carry the fluid. State Police were notified, and members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation have begun a probe.

The fire was discovered about 9:30 P.M. by Charles Welden, who resides nearby on Dillenbeck Road, a short distance south of Route 5-S from the church, and a call was placed to the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department, which provides fire protection for that area of the Town of Danube.

Mr. Singer and Mr. Welden then ran to the church and unlocked the door, but found the flames so intense that they quickly closed the door again to prevent the draft from fanning the fire.

It appeared that the window on the west or right side of the church closest to the front had been broken, and the gasoline or other inflammable substance had been thrown into the interior. The fire was most intense in that area.

St. Johnsville Fire Chief Gary Swartz called for assistance from the Little Falls and Fort Plain Fire Departments, through Mutual Aid, and both responded with men and equipment.

At considerable risk to themselves, several firemen donned air packs and carried hose lines into the church in an effort to smother the flames.

The St. Johnsville department set up its "portable pond" in the yard of the church, and this was refilled by the other departments and water was hauled from Nowandaga Creek. The point at which the water could be pumped from the stream is about a quarter mile by road from the church.

Fear was expressed that the fire would so weaken the front portion of the church that the heavy steeple would fall, but this did not occur.

At various times the flames broke through the exterior clapboards on the front, back and both sides of the church, and even from portions of the belfry. Firemen quickly clambered up ladders, ripped off boards, and poured water into the hot spots.

When the flames threatened to break through the roof, and firemen found it difficult to combat them effectively from the ground or from ladders, the aerial truck from Little Falls was taken to the scene and enabled the men to save the roof from collapsing and extinguish the flames in the belfry.

The Little Falls and Fort Plain men and equipment returned to their stations after midnight, while St. Johnsville left a truck and men at the scene throughout the night.

Those who saw the fire last night were surprised-and gratified-this morning to discover that even the framework of the 210 year old house of worship remained standing.

Ownership of the church property rests with the Town of Danube, and maintenance of the building was carried out by the Indian Castle Church Restoration and Preservation Society, a group headed by Ralph Horender of Indian Castle.

Mr. and Mrs. Leo Singer were caretakers of the property, checking the building regularly, mowing the lawn, etc. Mrs. Singer said she visited the church about noon yesterday, and nothing was awry at that time.

The church has been used only occasionally. The Red Men conducted their annual service there early last Summer, and later it was the scene of a wedding.

There was no electrical wiring in the building. Power extends to a meter and a switch box on a pole several yards away, and thus has been available for public address systems when there were exercises on the lawn, and on occasion has been temporarily led into the church on extension cords. The power currently was cut off at the meter.

A metal ceiling over the main portion of the worship area is credited with confining the flames and preventing them from reaching the huge, hidden roof beams. Removal of this dropped ceiling had been considered in order to expose the beauty of the old beams, but it probably is fortunate this had not been done.

All of the furnishing in the church were antiques, some of them believed to be the original. All were destroyed together with the chandeliers, Bibles, and many pictures.

There was no fire insurance on the building. With no power or heating units used, and no open flame-not even candles-ever permitted in the edifice, it was felt that the danger of a fire was remote.

A special meeting of the Indian Castle Church Restoration and Preservation Society was planned today. It is understood that consideration will be given to undertaking restoration.

Danube Church Still Needs Repairs

A Danube endeavor that began in the aftermath of a fire that ravaged the historic Indian Castle Church in 1979, has yet to be completed.

The Castle Church was built under the sponsorship of Sir William Johnson in 1769 as an Anglican mission church. At that time, a Christian missionary, Rev. Kirkland, manned the pulpit to preach to American Indians.

After the Revolutionary War the Indians moved to Canada and local settlers began using the church. In 1855 they turned the building so that the entrance would face the Mohawk River.

It still stands on that site, a quiet slope canopied by trees just off Rt. 5S in the town of Danube. It has become the site for annual nondenominational services held each July, sponsored by the volunteers of the Herkimer Home in observance of American's birthday. In addition, it has been used as a location for weddings.

The wooden structure, originally painted to look like stone, became the victim of an unsolved arson on Nov. 30, 1979. The next morning residents who had watched in horror as the flames lit the night sky, were surprised and grateful that the valiant efforts of the St. Johnsville, Little Falls and Fort Plain Fire Departments had saved the outer wall, bell, belfry and rood of the historic landmark that is believed to be the only surviving colonial Anglican mission church in North America.

After the fire an inspection of the building revealed that the belfry and roof were still structurally sound. A metal ceiling that had been installed over the worship area was credited with confining the fire and preventing the flames from reaching the old, huge timbers that made up the roof beams.

However, the interior edifice was destroyed, taking with it many irreplaceable original furnishings including chandeliers, pictures, and bibles.

Since the fire, the exterior has been painted and the roof has been replaced, but lack of funding has stalled the restoration efforts.

The structure, now listed on the National Registry for Historic Locations, is in need of repairs and restoration to return it to its former charm, and some of the repairs should not be put off.

Needed projects include repair of interior walls and furnishings, work on the foundation,and painting, all of which will require the donation of funds, labor and supplies.

A guest book inside the church boasts of visitors from all over the valley and state. Even in its present condition, it remains seasonally open to the public until dark. During the winter, including the holiday season, the church is illuminated by flood lights and can be seen as far away as the Thruway.

One of the holiday traditions at the church still remains a mystery. Every year two beautiful wreaths are hung on the double doors of the entrance. To this day no one knows where they come from. Yet, each year they arrive to hail in the holiday and decorate the entry to a building that offers a lesson in history that no book can match.

The building and grounds, owned by the town of Danube, are under the care of the Indian Castle Church Restoration Society.

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Opening Page for Indian Castle Church