St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, on University Avenue and Fordham Road, is still rebuilding this winter after a two-alarm fire severely damaged much of the

parish’s front vestibule in March.

“It’s progressing,” said Father Joseph Girone. “It looks like it could be done by Easter, and we’re looking forward to having something to really celebrate then.”

Girone said Fire Department officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, which broke out the morning of March 5 and appeared to have been set deliberately because of its intensity and how it quickly it spread, Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Scanlon told the Norwood News at the time.

“It was no accident,” Girone said.

Much of the damage from the fire was contained to the front vestibule of the 104-year-old building, which Girone says has been spackled and repainted but remains blocked off under construction. The parish has been able to hold mass services in its main sanctuary, which remained intact.

The vestibule doors that formerly led into the church, which were burnt by flames, have been refashioned into shrines to St. Jude and St. Augustine, and placed in the back of the church.

“I think that’s significant,” Girone said “What was done in evil now becomes a place of prayer. That’s a nice thing.