Bend church arson damage totals $2 million

One week after a string of seven arson fires hit downtown Bend, police released a new damage figure for two church buildings — $2 million in total — as they continue hunting for any suspects.

Lt. Chris Carney said the main building of Trinity Episcopal Church, built in 1929 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sustained $1.5 million in damage from the fire early last Wednesday.

Earlier, police had said the church’s adjacent St. Helens Hall, home to the Family Kitchen meals for the homeless and a counseling center, had damage tallying $500,000.

Carney said they had not yet compiled estimates from the other fires believed set by the same person or people in the pre-dawn hours, all along a nearby alley, including two detached garages, two vehicles and a wood pile.

Anyone with information that could help lead to an arrest is asked to contact police through Deschutes County dispatch at (541) 693-6911.