Law enforcement is investigating a fire at a Maplewood church as an arson.

The lower level of St. Jerome Catholic Church was damaged in the fire, but the sanctuary on the main level was fine and services were held as normal Sunday, said the Rev. Victor Valencia.

Officers and firefighters responded to the church on Roselawn Avenue, near McMenemy Street, on a report of a burglary and fire alarm sounding about 12:45 a.m. Sunday. They found someone had forced entry into the building and there was heavy smoke coming from inside, said Maplewood Police Lt. Joe Steiner. Firefighters extinguished a small fire.

“With it being a religious institution, we are taking some extra measures to investigate this and the ATF and the FBI are assisting,” Steiner said Tuesday. “At this time, … it appears to be an isolated incident.”

The fire damaged an electric organ/piano that is used for rehearsals and an American flag on a nearby pole, Valencia said. Regular activities that usually happen on the church’s lower level are either on hold or being held at the church’s school, according to the pastor.

“As a faith community, there’s a feeling that our own private space was violated,” Valencia said.

No one was under arrest as of Tuesday afternoon.

Steiner asks anyone with information to call him at 651-249-2608.

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