The Escolapios community managing the Parish of Saint Jude Thaddeus and Saint Nicholas of Bari, located in the Los Sitios neighborhood of Central Havana, revealed plans on Saturday to begin restoring their side door. This door was destroyed just three days prior by the fifth fire of the year to hit the church.
Brother Ernesto, Sch.P., shared on Facebook that the frame for the new side door has already been installed, aiming for its full installation by the start of next week.
"Although the wait has been extensive, we can now say that the agreements with the Havana government, specifically in Central Havana, are finally being realized," he stated. He also mentioned that the community is keeping the area clean to prevent trash accumulation during the ongoing work.
Brother Ernesto concluded his message with a hopeful request reflecting the community's sentiments: "We pray for a successful completion of what has been started, for the glory of God and the benefit of our neighbors."
This announcement comes shortly after a fire, originating from an improvised garbage dump beside the church, destroyed the side door last Wednesday. It marked the fifth fire recorded at the parish in 2026.
During that incident, Brother Ernesto Cuba directly blamed the authorities: "This is the result of neglect by the Havana government, particularly in Central Havana, including the Party and Communales, who have failed to deliver on their promises."
The series of damages began in April when an initial fire charred the main door of the church, with a second blaze occurring weeks later that went unanswered by firefighters.
In the early hours of June 19, a third fire consumed another side door, followed by a fourth in July, which also saw the theft of solar lamps that the community had installed to keep the premises lit and secure.
After each fire, the Escolapios decried the situation to the municipal, provincial, and national levels of government without receiving effective responses for months. The community warned that the authorities "have made plans and promises, but actions have not followed."
This series of incidents is rooted in the collapse of Havana's waste collection system: in 2026, only 44 of the city's 106 garbage trucks were operational due to diesel shortages and mechanical failures, while the city produced between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of trash daily.
Frustrated by the mounting waste, residents resorted to burning it, sparking fires that have damaged historical and religious buildings. The Los Sitios neighborhood was identified in early September as one of the hardest hit by neglect, with piles of waste obstructing intersections.
The Parish of Saint Jude Thaddeus and Saint Nicholas of Bari, situated at 830 San Nicolas Street, is among the oldest historical churches in Central Havana. It originated as a 19th-century hermitage, destroyed by fire in 1802 and rebuilt in 1848, before being blessed and elevated to a parish in 1854.
Key Issues and Concerns for the Parish Restoration
What initiated the restoration of the church door in Central Havana?
The restoration began after the church's side door was destroyed by the fifth fire of the year, prompting the Escolapios community to take action.
Who is responsible for the recurring fires at the parish?
Brother Ernesto Cuba blamed the lack of action and neglect by the Havana government, particularly in Central Havana, for the recurring fires.
What historical significance does the Parish of Saint Jude Thaddeus and Saint Nicholas of Bari hold?
The parish is a historical church in Central Havana, originating from a 19th-century hermitage, rebuilt in 1848 after a fire, and became a parish in 1854.