A look back on the 125th anniversary of the St. Francis School fire
Sunday marked the 125th anniversary of the St. Francis School Fire. In 1899, the fire resulted in the deaths of 12 girls buried at St. Boniface Cemetery. The tragedy marked one of the saddest chapters of the Quincy community’s history.
In 2021, Carolyn Freas Rapp contributed a series of essays to Muddy River News looking back at one of the city’s greatest tragedies. You can click the links below to all six parts of the series.
Read Part 1: Prosperous Quincy of 1899
Read Part 2: Christmas is Coming to Quincy
Read Part 4: Gripping Disaster
Read Part 6: Grief and Sacrifice
St. Francis Solanus Parish also has a “12 Little Angels Collection” to honor the girls lost in the fire. The funds provide tuition assistance to children attending St. Francis School.
If you would like to remember these loved ones during this time of year, consider a donation to the fund:
St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church
1721 College Avenue
Quincy, Illinois 62301
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