Pastor’s home burns at Holy Name Catholic Church
Services are on hold at the church, called the cornerstone of Northside community
The Rev. Anil Thomas walked through the sludge and debris covering the floor of what used to be his home at the historic Holy Name Catholic Church.
A 30-degree wind whistled through the charred remains of his roof, which on Tuesday was swallowed by a fire that destroyed the home but largely spared the connecting church.
“What a coincidence,” he said. “Today is Ash Wednesday, and we are in ashes.”
While millions of Houston residents endured ice-related power outages and little to no water pressure, the Tuesday afternoon blaze further complicated life at Holy Name Catholic Church, a cornerstone of Houston’s Near Northside community for a century.
Fire, not ice, forced the church campus at 1920 Marion to shut off electricity and running water. In addition to Thomas’ living quarters, the campus includes a cafeteria and family center.
The institution has been a lifeline for the community in natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey, and has been used as a weekly food distribution site throughout the COVID pandemic,
Thomas said.
While the church appeared untouched, that building was not safe on Wednesday for services.
Even so, more than 30 parishioners braved the frigid temperatures for an abbreviated Ash Wednesday service in the nearby cafeteria, where they sang hymns over the hum of a generator.
“I’m lucky to be a pastor in this place, experiencing the love of God and the love of my people,” said Thomas, the pastor since 2015.
It’s unclear whether the fire was related to the ice storm or widespread issues with the state’s electrical grid.
Houston Fire Department spokesperson Martee Boose said the cause and source of the fire is under investigation.
She said a damage estimate was not available and could not offer more details.
Thomas was told an electrical outlet short-circuited in his garage. He had electricity at the time and was not using alternative heating methods.
His Toyota RAV4 was destroyed. He was left with only a small supply of salvaged clothing and his ID. He is now living across the street, in a now powerless home reserved for church members.
Thomas plans to hold services again this Sunday or the next, depending on when the building is safe. He has reached out to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to coordinate insurance payments. He is hopeful they can re
build.
“I know that God has a plan for me,” Thomas said. “He has a plan for everybody, and if it happened he knows how to take care of us.”
Founded in 1920, the church serves about 450 families in the greater Houston area, according to the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston. It is nestled in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood with many first-generation immigrants.
High-profile funerals for Josué Flores, whose killing near the church in 2016 shook the community, and slain Houston soldier Vanessa Guillén have been held there.
More recently, the church has served as a COVID testing site and, before the fire, a warming shelter for two families trying to escape the cold.
“It’s been a vital part of the Northside community,” said longtime parishioner Daniel Chavez. “That’s why there’s such an outpouring of people coming out to see about the fire.”
Chavez said he and his wife drove on Tuesday through treacherous weather to check on the church when they heard the news.
“I was heartbroken,” he said. “We just celebrated our centennial.”
Other public officials from the Houston area showed their support.
In a tweet, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said it was the “first church I ever attended.” U.S. Rep Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, said she visited the site on Tuesday to get her ashes.
“The Lenten season is a time for reflection and I am reflecting on the many times I have been here,” she said in a tweet. “For the church bazar, the 100th anniversary, the funeral of Vanesa Guillen. Holy Name is the heart of the North Side and we will rebuild.”
Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado said it is “a beloved institution in Near Northside.”
“I'm thankful everyone got out safely & praying the damage is not extensive.”
Thomas said he is grateful the main church was spared. He said he will continue to spend his days at the campus to oversee repairs and lend help to anyone in need. After losing his belongings during a historic cold snap, he expressed hope.
“It is part of life,” Thomas said. “These things will also pass.”
He noted that Ash Wednesday only marks the beginning of the Lenten season.
“Resurrection is the end,” he said.