Crews save cross after San Jose church catches fire

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- In San Jose, fire crews were able to save a large cross from the Holy Cross Parish church that caught fire over the weekend.

PHOTOS: Fire destroys Holy Cross Parish church in San Jose

The church was destroyed by Sunday's roaring, devastating fire. Everyone is calling it amazing that the crucifix survived.

The fire crews have left, but they were busy Monday trying to salvage what was left of the church. It looks destroyed, but ABC7 News was told it's possible to rebuild it and that's exactly what the priest and the parishioners want to do. They have witnessed signs that say the church will have new life.

Water from fire hoses were dripping from the roof which caved in. The dripping water looked like tears falling over the large crucifix, which is still standing pristine. The crucifix was untouched by the flames that roared through the century old church on Sunday.

The fire was so hot it devoured the roof and the two spires collapsed, but through it all the cross survived. "Yes, we've been able to rescue the cross of Jesus. Jesus died on the cross. This is an expression of Jesus being dead for three days," Father Firmo Mantovani said.

On Monday, fire crews carefully lifted the crucifix from the altar and brought it outside to rest it on the church driveway.

It was a challenging task, so the Urban Search and Rescue Team was called in to help. "They have special knowledge in ropes and knots. So they were able to get that cross secured and raised up very gently set down to where it was saved," Capt. Reggie Williams said.

It was an emotional moment for parishioners. "We all believe in god and god is helping us, everybody," one woman said.

Many like Catalina Ventimiglia saw this as prophetic. "It's amazing that the cross is intact and that gives me a sign that he wants to be up there again. It is a miracle," she said.

Other sacred belongings of the church were saved. Among them were the statues of saints, bibles, hymnals and even the holy oils.

"We were able to save the blessed sacrament, which for us Catholics is the body of Jesus. This morning, it was saved, completely intact," Mantovani said.

Even the fire captain said saving all this, especially the large cross was more than just amazing.

Some people said it's a miracle the large cross was saved.