High winds and dry conditions amplified a fire that started at St. Joseph Center in North Little Rock around 5:40 p.m. March 19, causing severe damage to the roof and the center’s interior.
Staff believes the fire started in the attic.
According to reports from the North Little Rock Fire Department, the fire began before 6 p.m. on the feast day of St. Joseph, but the exact cause is currently unknown. NLRFD crews were assessing the center’s grounds in the early morning hours of March 20 as multiple units from the North Little Rock Police Department secured the scene.
Arkansas Catholic was allowed onto the property as crews assessed the structure. The morning light revealed that the center’s iconic red tile roof was gone.
The Diocese of Little Rock built St. Joseph Orphanage in 1910 with the Benedictine sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith operating it until 1978. After the orphanage closed, the sisters ran a kindergarten and daycare for local children until 1997. The diocese operated a retreat center there until 2010 when it signed a 50-year lease with St. Joseph Center of Arkansas Inc. to oversee the building and grounds. Since then, the center has been used as art studios, an Airbnb, organic farm and farm stand.
The 56,000-square-foot, four-story yellow brick and stone building was crowned with a cupola like an Italian-style villa.
St. Joseph Center posted on Facebook in the evening hours of March 19, “Everyone is safe. Animals are safe. Building is still burning. It started in the attic and we do not know the source. Prayers are appreciated. Will update soon.”
A few hours later, executive Director Sandy DeCoursey posted another update, saying, “Your outpouring of love and support for St. Joseph Center of Arkansas is overwhelming. I’ve just gotten home and am now reflecting on the events of the day. Smoke permeates our clothes and lungs as reminders of the devastation. I’m so very grateful to all those who worked tirelessly to try and salvage the building while putting out fires all over the property. Thankfully, there was no loss of life (humans or animals). But, the loss is great indeed.
“This building is home to what we lovingly refer to as ‘farmily’…the staff, volunteers, artists, gardeners, farmers/interns, animal ambassadors, Farm Stand patrons and others who have poured their heart and soul into the restoration of this place over the last 15 years. The community of North Little Rock/Little Rock has helped St. Joseph’s thrive and grow. And, we’re going to need your help to bounce back.
“Tomorrow (March 20), in the morning light, we will assess next steps and keep everyone informed as we regroup and plan the path forward. …”
How you can help
St. Joseph Center is accepting donations to help recover from the March 19 fire. You can make a donation here.
On that donation page, St. Joseph Center explained how donations would help with the losses so far.
“We had one permanent resident and three WWOOFers (a volunteer who participates in the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms program) in the building whose belongings are gone and are now without housing. We had 30 artists with studios in the building whose artwork and workspace are gone. We had history dating back as early as the 1900s when our building was constructed as an orphanage and operated by the Benedictine sisters, all gone. We had five farmers working onsite in our high tunnels and blackberry rows to produce for our farmstand. We have seven permanent staff and many part-time helpers without a job to return to. We have goats, chickens, ducks, cows, donkeys, sheep, bees and our farm dog, Peaches, who are thankfully all OK. Not to mention all our wonderful volunteers who considered St. Joseph’s as a second home, or a getaway from home,” the donation post read.
“There’s a lot more to say, but we are all left speechless in this tragic moment and anything you can donate will help to restore some livelihoods or if possible, our building. We thank you in advance for all your prayers, kind words and concern during this time. Please look for updates soon.”
