United States (Massachusetts) - The region's only Lithuanian Catholic church, once slated for closure by the archdiocese, escaped another calamity yesterday when a fire caused $100,000 in damages to the beloved South Boston landmark but did not destroy it. And in a sad twist, the priest thinks he accidentally started the blaze.

Parishioners wept on the street as stained-glass windows shattered and smoke poured out of 105-year-old St. Peter Lithuanian Church on Flaherty Way just before noon.

"This is the heart of our community," said Aldona Lingertat of Milton, who was baptized at St. Peter and is the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants. "People drive an hour to be here for Mass."

The Rev. Stephen P. Zukas, the pastor, was treated for smoke inhalation after he went back inside the burning church to attempt to retrieve the monstrance, a dazzling gold object used to display the Eucharist. Firefighters were able to save it.

Zukas said he believes the fire started at about 11:30 a.m., after he failed to fully extinguish a wax wick he used to light incense.

Yesterday, before he was taken by ambulance to the hospital, Zukas said he was feeling "shaken and guilty" about the accident.

About 20 people were inside for an Advent adoration when the fire alarms sounded. Parishioners were so worried about Zukas' health they urged him to go to the hospital.

"He's heartbroken," Lingertat said of the priest. "He has taken such good care of this building."

Some Masses at the church are said in Lithuanian, and many members are immigrants and their children. Lingertat and five other parishioners joined hands and said the Lord's Prayer in Lithuanian before leaving.

"It's a very close-knit community. It's like a family," Lingertat said."People know each other. If someone doesn't show up for Mass, they worry and they call."

The Archdiocese of Boston placed St. Peter on a closure list in 2004, making the fire so much more devastating for the worshipers, who fought so hard to keep it open. In 2005, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley reversed the closure.

"No other church can replace what I feel for this church," said Dalia Zikas, 66, of Canton, a parish member for 44 years, who was also inside for the adoration.

There will be no Mass today, said Boston District Fire Chief Stephen McNeil. The fire caused heavy damage to one room and smoke, and heat and water damage elsewhere, he said.

It's unclear if the church could be opened for Christmas Mass on Friday, he said. "It's a tough time of the year," McNeil said. "Our thoughts are with the parishioners."

Zukas said parishioners should attend Mass at their closest local church today.

Written by Boston Herald