How is the insurance claim being handled for St. John the Baptist Church fire?
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is self-insured and employs Gallagher Bassett as their Third Party Administrator to manage most insurance claims. For catastrophic losses exceeding $500,000, the Archdiocese has excess insurance coverage in the commercial market, with Sedgwick serving as the claims administrator for these complex, high-value claims.
Insurance payouts are categorized into distinct areas. The first category covers mitigation costs, which include all the work done on St. John Church to date, i.e. fencing and securing the site, removing the bells and large debris with cranes, and crews to clean the debris out of church. These mitigation expenses are separate from and do not reduce the funds available for repairing or rebuilding the church. There is a category to repair or rebuild the church and a separate category for church contents. There are additional categories for the rectory repair and rectory contents.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is self-insured and employs Gallagher Bassett as their Third Party Administrator to manage most insurance claims. For catastrophic losses exceeding $500,000, the Archdiocese has excess insurance coverage in the commercial market, with Sedgwick serving as the claims administrator for these complex, high-value claims.
Insurance payouts are categorized into distinct areas. The first category covers mitigation costs, which include all the work done on St. John Church to date, i.e. fencing and securing the site, removing the bells and large debris with cranes, and crews to clean the debris out of church. These mitigation expenses are separate from and do not reduce the funds available for repairing or rebuilding the church. There is a category to repair or rebuild the church and a separate category for church contents. There are additional categories for the rectory repair and rectory contents.
Sedgwick engages consulting vendors and other resources to evaluate fire-related loses and develop a detailed line-item inventory of all components necessary to either repair the existing structure or rebuild a new like structure from the ground up. While Sedgwick provides initial estimates of each line item in the claim, they also state it is an estimate and that identifying and estimating each line item can be very difficult. Sedgwick advises that St. John Parish also engage estimators, architect and other resources to assure the item list is complete and the estimated values are accurate. As the design and build phases progress with actual bids and costs determined, the estimated settlement amounts can be adjusted. In short, Sedgwick will eventually provide two key estimates: one for repairing the church as it was and another for rebuilding a new like structure from the ground up. Additional estimates will be provided for church contents and for both rectory repair and contents. These figures represent minimum estimates that can be adjusted up through further review and as actual bids and costs are determined.
Importantly, the Archdiocesan insurance policy stipulates that the final settlement is the lesser of the two estimates, either repair existing structure or rebuild a new like structure.
Importantly, the Archdiocesan insurance policy stipulates that the final settlement is the lesser of the two estimates, either repair existing structure or rebuild a new like structure.
Will St. John Church be repaired to what it was or rebuilt new?
Sedgwick is providing line item estimates to repair St. John Church as it was, however there are a lot of unknown contingencies that can significantly increase costs.
Sedgwick is providing line item estimates to repair St. John Church as it was, however there are a lot of unknown contingencies that can significantly increase costs.
- Per the structural assessment, a portion of the walls would need to be disassembled from the top down until a section is reached that has no damage in the wythe (vertical layer of bricks) structure. It is estimated this would include 10-12 feet or more of the East and West walls, nearly all of the North West wall and approximately half of the remaining bell tower.
- Basement and foundation walls would likely require reinforcement
- The floor would need replace d and all existing joists examined and shimmed to even out the floor.
- There would need to be a new roof structure using updated building codes, and structural assessment to determine weight loads on walls and foundations.
- All plumbing, electrical, gas piping, HVAC duct work and equipment would need replaced.
- Updated code requirements.
- The Structural Assessment for St. John Catholic Church 8-5-25 can be found at the following link structural_assessment_-_st._john_catholic_church_update-8-5-25.pdf
An example was cited of another church fire where the decision was made to repair the existing church. The final cost of repair was double the estimate due structural findings that needed repair, but were not found until the repair process was underway. A similar scenario would be likely if the decision was made to repair St. John Church as it was. If the decision was made to repair the current church, St. John would only receive the final estimated repair settlement. St. John Parish would be responsible for any additional costs due structural issues discovered during the repair process which would be likely with a 134 year old church.
Sedgwick is also providing line item estimates for rebuilding St. John Church new. As noted previously, each of the line item estimate needs to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. There are over 200 line items in the church claim to be reviewed and validated.
St. John Building Committee is currently working with estimators to review and evaluate the proposed Sedgwick line item estimates. While time consuming and tedious, this is a necessary step to arrive at the best insurance settlement for St. John the Baptist Church.
St. John Building Committee is identifying and interviewing potential architects in the next 4 to 8 weeks to help assess the proposed Sedgwick estimates, the existing St. John Church and to develop a design process for the future St. John church involving parishioner input.
Sedgwick is also providing line item estimates for rebuilding St. John Church new. As noted previously, each of the line item estimate needs to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. There are over 200 line items in the church claim to be reviewed and validated.
St. John Building Committee is currently working with estimators to review and evaluate the proposed Sedgwick line item estimates. While time consuming and tedious, this is a necessary step to arrive at the best insurance settlement for St. John the Baptist Church.
St. John Building Committee is identifying and interviewing potential architects in the next 4 to 8 weeks to help assess the proposed Sedgwick estimates, the existing St. John Church and to develop a design process for the future St. John church involving parishioner input.
What are the next steps toward the future St. John the Baptist Church?
Estimators working on behalf of St. John Church will review and evaluate the Sedgwick estimates to make sure that every line item from the existing church is included and realistic estimates or bids are provided for each item.
The St. John the Baptist Building Committee is currently reviewing possible architects with plans to interview at least three architects and make a selection within the next 4 to 8 weeks.
The design and construction of a new church follows guidelines of the Catholic Church found in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops document “Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship.” These guidelines are intended for use by architects, liturgical consultants, artists and contractors engaged in the design and construction of a church. They are also helpful to those who wish to understand the Catholic Church's tradition regarding church buildings, the arts, and architecture. Information sessions explaining Built of Living Stones will be offered in the coming months.
Town hall meetings will also be offered in the coming months to discuss and discern the future St. John the Baptist Church and seek parishioner input on what that will be.
Estimators working on behalf of St. John Church will review and evaluate the Sedgwick estimates to make sure that every line item from the existing church is included and realistic estimates or bids are provided for each item.
The St. John the Baptist Building Committee is currently reviewing possible architects with plans to interview at least three architects and make a selection within the next 4 to 8 weeks.
The design and construction of a new church follows guidelines of the Catholic Church found in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops document “Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship.” These guidelines are intended for use by architects, liturgical consultants, artists and contractors engaged in the design and construction of a church. They are also helpful to those who wish to understand the Catholic Church's tradition regarding church buildings, the arts, and architecture. Information sessions explaining Built of Living Stones will be offered in the coming months.
Town hall meetings will also be offered in the coming months to discuss and discern the future St. John the Baptist Church and seek parishioner input on what that will be.
What does St. John Church look like inside?
Video of St. John the Baptist Church cleared of debris is available for viewing at Marion Catholic Community - YouTube.
Drone Video on August 28th, 2025
Church Walk Through on August 28th, 2025
Video of St. John the Baptist Church cleared of debris is available for viewing at Marion Catholic Community - YouTube.
Drone Video on August 28th, 2025
Church Walk Through on August 28th, 2025
 - Fr. Ken Schnipke, C.PP.S, Christ Our Light Family of Parishes |  |
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