EFFINGHAM, Kan. — Chad Hinterweger and Wendy Lanter now know what it takes to quickly reboot wedding plans when your church suddenly burns down.

The couple long had hoped to wed in St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Effingham, Kan., a structure that holds many solemn and fond memories within the parish. But a fire destroyed the church on April 21, sending shock waves through the community and forcing an abrupt switch in wedding plans.

The blaze sent the Hinterwegers and Lanters into scramble mode for a ceremony set for Saturday. In a brief and hurried timespan, they’ve managed to preserve their intended date despite moving the happy event a short distance away to a Catholic parish in Jefferson County.

“Despite everything, the neighboring parishes were calling Father (the Rev. Ben) Tremmel that morning, offering assistance,” Mr. Hinterweger said. “We’re beginning to recover. It’s just a harsh reality. ... We’ll make our own memories.”

Realizing that their dream of holding the ceremony in St. Ann’s vanished with the fire, the couple chose to relocate the ceremony to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in nearby Nortonville, Kan.

“We had to send out last-minute maps,” Mr. Hinterweger said.

Not just a new location preoccupied the ramped-up agenda, however. Components unique to St. Ann’s disappeared as well.

“We had candelabras set,” he said. “We had our candles purchased.”

The candlesticks were considered keepsakes of the church.

The families kept busy Thursday afternoon decorating the St. Ann’s parish center for the wedding reception.

Ms. Lanter agreed that the pace of preparations took on a sort of warp speed because of the fire. The numerous offers of help also have made a difference.

“It’s been hectic,” she said. “At this point, we’re good to go. That first week was a lot of scrambling.”

Fire officials gave the OK for holding the reception at the parish center, next door to the destroyed church.

The couple is thankful their wedding still will take place, but they’re concerned about the future of the church. They want to see St. Ann’s rebuilt.

To make a donation to help rebuild St. Ann’s Catholic Church, send checks to Rebuild Fund, St. Ann’s Parish, 301 William St., P.O. Box 54, Effingham, KS 66023. Please note Rebuild Fund in the memo.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.