Updated on February 22, 2021 at 11:46 pm NBC Universal, Inc. A massive 4-alarm fire ripped through a church rectory Monday in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as firefighters fought to save the century-old church. Lawrence firefighters who responded to 35 Essex Street worked tirelessly to prevent flames from spreading to the historic Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, a landmark in the area. The Billerica Fire Department also responded to the blaze that broke out just before 6 p.m. Download our mobile app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather. “Our objective was and still is to keep it out of the church. The rectory and church are connected, they are connected by two stairways,” said Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty.