One of the worst forest fires this section has witnessed in some time broke out Monday morning in the vicinity of Middle Island and burned over many acres of ground destroying several homes and narrowly escaping the destroying of others.  A high wind carried the flames along and made very difficult the work of combating the fire.  A number of volunteer workers were on the job all morning and shortly after noon the Smithtown Fire Department answered the call for aid.

Taken from the Messenger article: Stained Glass window of the second St. Patrick's Church.

The most serious loss was that of St. Patrick's Church in Hauppauge and the destruction wrought in the cememtery surrounding the church.  Many of the stones were badly cracked and blastered by the heat an other audiences of he fir's destruction were seen on every hand.  Sparks from the nearby woods set fire to the church roof and with the prevailing high wind it was impossible to save the structure.

With the passing of the church it is interesting to recall a few facts in its history.  In 1830 a number of families formed a settlement about one mile the south of Smithtown Branch.  Among them were those of Thomas and Patrick Burns, John and Patrick Fisher and Cornelius Haggerty.  These families organized a Catholic church in 1845 and as it was the only church of its denomination within twenty miles, it was attended by parishioners from Babylon, Port Jefferson, Islip, Northport and Smithtown.  Father O'Donnell was the the first priest.  He remained about one year and was succeeded by Fathers McGinnis, Curran, McCarthy, O'Neil, Crowley, Carsolla, Manney, David and others of latter years.  The present edifice was built in 1874 and the present rector is Father Duhigg, who also has charge of the parish of St. Philips and James at St. James.

Note: The history in the above article is taken almost directly from J. Lawrence Smith's "The History of Smithtown", 1882.

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