Extensive damage caused by flooding in the basement of St. Ignatius, Baltimore, is expected to take at least six weeks to repair.
Jesuit Father William J. Watters, the pastor, told parishioners in a letter in the Feb. 15 bulletin that flooding caused by a ruptured city water main had damaged the Chapel of Grace, Ignatian Hall, Reeves Gallery, a conference room and a bathroom.
The flooding occurred after a Madison Street water main, just three yards north of the church, sent water cascading into the undercroft about 3 a.m. on Feb. 8.
The church has received numerous calls and e-mails from people offering to help with clean-up and repairs, Father Watters said.
St. Ignatius has hired a company that is using heaters and dehumidifiers to dry the basement and removing baseboards, paneling and drywall to assess water damage.
The church did not know how much repairs would cost.