On This Day: Between two and three thousand churchgoers die during the Church of the Company... (1863)

On December 8, 1863: Between two and three thousand churchgoers die during the Church of the Company Fire. Deemed as probably the largest single building fire by number of victims in modern history, it began at the start of a Mass held at the Church of the Society of Jesus in Santiago, Chile, during the celebration of the recently proclaimed Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through history. Consider using it when preaching about faith.