UPDATE: Parishioner Charged with Arson in St. Thomas Aquinas Church Fire: 2012 in Review

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Ames Patch is looking back at some of the stories that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head.

Orig ran Sept. 26

A 51-year-old Ames woman has been charged with first-degree arson for allegedly setting a fire at St. Thomas Aquinas Church late Tuesday. 

Tina Meyer is currently being held on a $25,000 bond in Story County Jail. She was believed to be a member of the church.

Ames Fire Deputy Paul Sandoval would provide no other information on Meyer or the fire's cause, except to say that the fire was started in the area of a couch on an upper level inside the church. Meyer was arrested after contacting a police officer at the Ames Police Department after 12 a.m. Wednesday, according to police. She had burn injuries around her feet and a cut on her leg.

Father Jim Dubert said he understood that Meyer had some mental problems.

"I'm praying for her to get through those," Dubert said.

An automatic alarm alerted the Ames Fire Department to the fire about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, which was confirmed by Delta Upsilon Fraternity members next door, Sandoval said.

When firefighters arrived, flames and smoke were visible through the window. Sandoval said they were able to extinguish the flames with a small amount of water and then worked on ventilating the building of its smoke. Smoke spread throughout the building, including the lobby.

The church is expected to remain closed until next week, said Bobby LeBlanc, the church's pastoral administrator.

Dubert said it might be closed as much as two weeks depending on how long clean up takes.

Church arson is a federal crime. The State Fire Marshals Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted the Ames Fire Department and Ames Police Department with the investigation.

First-degree arson is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Since this story ran Tina Meyer pleaded guilty to reduced charges of arson and criminal mischief her sentencing is scheduled for late January.