A Brief History of the Firebombing of Sacred Heart Church

On Sunday, June 4, 1978, Sacred Heart Church was firebombed. We were starkly reminded of this near-catastrophic event when blackened bricks and floor joists were exposed in the Sanctuary during the recent demolition of the raised floor, and tabernacle stand. Initially, casual viewers attributed the condition of the wood and bricks to smoke from the fire. However, when inspected by those with more experience with the residue from fires, it was explained that the fire was more extensive than originally thought.

The fire was considered to be arson and the result of a firebomb that was tossed through a window on the lower level. At the time there was tension between the local churches and some of the more colorful local business establishments in the area called “the triangle”. Young women, mostly teenagers, the homeless, and drug addicts in the area would go to the parish to find help from Pastor Michael A. (Tony) Morris and a nun, Sr. Frances Ann Cook, R.S.M. This is the location of the current Truist Tower, the triangular area between Peachtree Street and Peachtree Center Avenue, formerly Ivy Street. It was speculated that someone connected with one of them may have been responsible. There were other acts of vandalism at the time including damage to the vehicles of the Parish Pastor and other priests in residence at Sacred Heart.

Fortunately, a policeman patrolling the area discovered the fire and reported it to the Atlanta Fire Bureau at 3:33 a.m, and the fire was reported under control at 4:40 p.m. To control it, four fire companies, including three engines and three ladders, were required. 

The fire department was unaware that the building was occupied. At the time, four (4) priests were in residence, including the Pastor, Father Morris, and Vicars Father Stephen T. Churchwell, later to become the Pastor of Sacred Heart from (1994 to 2002, and invested as Monsignor in May 2001), Father Peter Dora, and Father Raimundo Solano. Miraculously, no one was injured, and the building, while extensively damaged, was saved.

The pastor speaking of the policeman said, “They deserve all the credit in the world for spotting the fire, four or five more minutes the fireman said, and the whole church would have been lost.” 

So that this significant part of the Basilica’s history will not be lost, many of the blackened bricks from the Sanctuary area that were part of the sub-structure of the dismantled tabernacle stand have been salvaged. Soon, the Spanish language community of the Basilica will be offering these for sale to raise the money to fund the installation of the Mother Cabrini emblem that will be part of the Triumphal Arch. 

Sacred Heart has traditionally been a place of worship for Spanish-speaking Catholics and was one of the first churches to celebrate the Mass in Spanish; note the first printed reference in the Atlanta Constitution on September 21, 1968. 

Here are some interesting facts about the firebombing and the harassment and vandalism that the parish and priests were suffering during that time with links to documents from the local papers…

• Damage was primarily in the lower level, including the hall, kitchen, and classrooms, where remodeling had just been completed.
• $250,000 of damage in 1978 would be over $1,200,000 today.
• The Sanctuary and Nave were cleaned up immediately, and three weddings were held the next Saturday, including that of the daughter of Church Secretary Mary Alice Hearn.
• Father Morris had earlier reported other acts of harassment to the Atlanta police including the slashing of tires on four vehicles belonging to priests.
• Other acts of vandalism and damage during this period included breaking of the stained glass windows at the First United Methodist Church in December 1977.
• A second fire, not attributed to arson damaged the air conditioning and wiring in September 1978.
• A rear wheel fell off a priest's car, Father Solano, when the lug nuts were removed.
• Sacred Heart was the first Atlanta parish to conduct Mass in Spanish regularly and to have a Spanish-speaking Priest.
• AJC Article: June 5, 1978

Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports the various liturgies that occur within it, is balanced and appropriate for a Basilica, follows current liturgical guidelines, and respects the history of Sacred Heart.