SLIDESHOW: Corpus Christi Parish rectory fire
CARL RUSSO PHOTOS: Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street.
A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m.
There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof.
No immediate injuries were reported and church pastor, the Rev. Francis Mawn, was unharmed, according to Lawrence police.
Around 7:30 p.m., it appeared the fire was under control, with firefighters inside overhauling and searching for hot spots.
In minutes the fire flared again, with flames jumping through the roof. Firefighters were again ordered to evacuate the building and fight the fire from the outside.
Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill, Methuen, Danvers, Middleton, Salem, New Hampshire, Billerica, Reading and North Reading.

Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- Carl Russo/Staff photo

Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- Carl Russo/Staff photo

A Lawrence firefighter shouts instructions to the crew below as heavy smoke pours out of a front window. Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- Carl Russo/Staff photo

From left, Corpus Christi parishioners who are also members of the Saint Alfio Society, Ray DiFiore, Ron Vallante and Alan Maranto, watch firefighters battle the church rectory fire. The society building is just feet behind the rectory but was not damaged.Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Lawrence fire Capt. Eric Zahn leads a crew into the front of the church to keep the fire in the rectory from spreading to the church.Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

A statue of Mary, the Blessed Mother, that stands in front of the rectory, is covered in soot from the fire.
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

A statue of Mary, the Blessed Mother, that stands in front of the rectory, is covered in soot from the fire.Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Lawrence firefighters prepare to battle the four-alarm fire that broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church Monday night.Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Lowell firefighters battle the fire at Corpus Christi with their ladder truck.Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Ivette Chakar, a secretary and receptionist for Corpus Christi Parish, watches the fire with others. Dozens of people associated with the Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary came to see firefighters battle the blaze.
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

The front of the Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, seen here, faces Union Street. Firefighters battled the rectory fire seen on the other side of the church, on Essex Street.Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Dozens of people associated with the Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary came to see firefighters battle the blaze.Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Corpus Christi Parishioners and members of the Saint Alfio Society, watch firefighters battle the church rectory fire. The society building is just feet behind the rectory but was not damaged. Dozens of people associated with the Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary came to see firefighters battle the blaze. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo

Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. Â
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo
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Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo
Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- Carl Russo/Staff photo
Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- Carl Russo/Staff photo
A Lawrence firefighter shouts instructions to the crew below as heavy smoke pours out of a front window. Firefighters spent hours Monday night battling a stubborn blaze in a historic Catholic Church on Essex Street. A four-alarm blaze broke out in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church around 6 p.m. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- Carl Russo/Staff photo
Corpus Christi Parishioners and members of the Saint Alfio Society, watch firefighters battle the church rectory fire. The society building is just feet behind the rectory but was not damaged. Dozens of people associated with the Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary came to see firefighters battle the blaze. There was heavy fire in the rectory area, with flames heading towards the church roof. Lawrence firefighters were assisted by a hearty contingent of mutual aid firefighters from cities and towns throughout the region, including Andover, North Andover, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen.
- CARL RUSSO/staff photo
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