×

Minot man who visited Notre Dame Cathedral ‘shocked’ by news of fire

“I was shocked,” said Mike Pellenwessel of Minot when he learned on Monday that Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was burning.

Fire broke out at the landmark cathedral in Paris on Monday.

Pellenwessel and his son David Pellenwessel, then a student at Minot High School, were among a group from Minot who visited the cathedral during an art history tour for students to Paris and other

cities in Europe in 2015. The cathedral was one of the first places they visited when the group arrived in Paris.

“It’s impressive. It’s a huge church,” said Mike Pellenwessel, a co-owner of Preferred Partners Real Estate in Minot.

He remembers the outside of the cathedral – the front facade – being very ornate with gargoyles and statues on it. He also recalled the beautifully maintained grounds of the cathedral which is located on an island in Paris. He recalled there was extensive security around the cathedral.

“It’s really a magnificent structure,” he said. He said Notre Dame Cathedral along with the Eiffel Tower have always been places people need to see when they go to Paris.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today