On April 20, 1959, Old St. Mary's caught fire during repair work of the eaves. Nearly 100 firemen from the surrounding area were called in to assist with the flames. Although confined to the one side of the roof for a short time, the flames swept through the heavy timber beams and soon spread to all sides of the copper-covered roof. Using the aerial ladder unit from Lansing, firemen tried to contain the blaze by hacking holes in the roof and pouring in water, but the flames out-raced them. Father Aloysius Miller and his assistant, Father Robert Stockwell, carried out the Blessed Sacrament, chalices, and the other holy vessels used at Mass. Twelve men were needed to carry the pulpit from the burning church.
