BLAZE GUTS S.F. CHURCH THAT ENDURED 1906 QUAKE.

Byline: Associated Press

A fire nearly destroyed one of the city's oldest churches early Sunday.

St. Peter's Catholic Church, dedicated in 1885, was one of the few churches that survived the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.

Located in the Mission District, the three-alarm blaze burned for more than three hours before firefighters extinguished the flames.

The church's roof was destroyed. Engineers will be brought in to determine whether the structure can be saved.

Investigators said preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental, ignited either by candles or from an electrical malfunction.

``When you see all the fine tuning that's inside architecturally and the wood craftsmanship, it's a terrible loss,'' Fire Battalion Chief George Maloney said. ``It's a terrible loss.''

Sunday's Mass was held at the church's school next door.

Maloney said the fire is especially difficult for the church parishioners whose pastor, the Rev. Jack Isaacs, died two weeks ago.

``I'm sure the people will survive this,'' Maloney said. ``This is a building. We have to keep it in perspective.''

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Photo

PHOTO A firefighter inspects the extensive fire damage to St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Associated Press