Later that evening, however, no news turned into terrible news. Peter Cooley, a 39 year-old executive who served as St. Alban’s treasurer, stewardship co-chair, Sunday school teacher, choir member and pianist at the congregation’s mission church in inner-city Portland, was an expert mountain climber. But earlier that day he fell during his ascent and suffered severe head trauma and other injuries. For the next two and a half days, his climbing partner, Scott Richards, cared for him as weather conditions worsened and delayed rescue attempts by the National Park Service. 

While Peter Cooley’s parents journeyed to the park service headquarters in Washington, close friends and the St. Alban’s clergy gathered around Allene Cooley and her young children, Sarah, Alex and Robert.

“We instinctively began to form a wall around Allene and to take care of the details,” said Virginia Hanson, a close friend and fellow parishioner who became the family's spokeswoman.

On Sunday, Adams announced the tragedy to the congregation.  “People started to congregate at the church for prayer. As the word got out to the wider community, more than 125 people gathered for a spontaneous prayer service on Sunday evening.”

Recalled Hanson, “St. Alban’s became a command center.  People, both from St. Alban’s and those who knew the Cooleys through school, sports, work or other groups they were involved in, knew that St. Alban’s was a place to find support.  That was a time when no one wanted to be alone.  It was a place to find solace, companionship and news.  The baked goods, coffee and flowers started to pour in.  I had never seen any church function that way, but it happened very naturally.”

A place filled with hope and fears

By Monday, Hanson began holding a daily press conference as worldwide media attention focused on the rescue attempts. Monday night, 250 people gathered for a prayer vigil.

 “I didn’t know many of the people present,” Adams said, “but church can be a place for people to pin their hopes and fears. And people in this community had a lot of both of those that night.”

At the end of the service, those present, especially the Cooleys, had mostly hope.  They learned that the weather had cleared briefly, and rescuers had transported Cooley by helicopter to a hospital.  “We were jubilant.  The children were put to bed celebrating,” said Adams. 

But as he walked through the parish hall late that evening, Adams answered a ringing phone in the church kitchen.  It was a reporter requesting confirmation that Cooley had died on the helicopter. 

Early Tuesday, Adams went to the Cooleys' home and stayed with Allene Cooley as she broke the news of their father’s death to each of the children as they awoke. “That was the saddest thing I have ever had to deal with personally or pastorally,” he said.  “Allene told each child the news, and then she wept with them.”

The church’s support proved invaluable for the family.  “From the moment we learned of Peter’s accident, the clergy, staff and parishioners of St. Alban’s have supported us with compassion and understanding,” Allene Cooley said. “My family was deeply touched by the tireless efforts of staff and parishioners to put together the memorial service, which was incredibly beautiful and healing for us and for so many others.  Family and friends from across the country who attended the service were comforted by hearing Jim Adams’ moving homily, and, just as important, by witnessing the loving church community that surrounded my family.  The continued support and compassion shown to Sarah, Alex, Robert …[W]e feel very blessed to be a part of St. Alban’s.”

Cape Elizabeth residents were not the only ones devastated by Peter Cooley’s death.  Ralph Bell, the National Park Service’s liaison to the Cooleys, explained how exceptional the situation became.  “Because of the horrendous weather, the rescuers and the staff at headquarters had more time than usual to become emotionally involved with this effort and the people involved.  When he was rescued there was a huge sigh of relief, only to have our hopes dashed 30 minutes later.” 

Bell was one of 1,000 people at Cooley's memorial service.  “I needed to come to Maine. I’m not embarrassed to say that I needed closure, too.  I felt a real connection with the family, and they welcomed me with open arms.  I have never seen a church respond to a community in such a special way.  The experience of dealing with the family and the St. Alban’s community is something that will always stay with me.”

Since Cooley’s death, Adams' workload has increased considerably.  “Everyone comes in to ask the hard questions after a tragedy like this.  Peter’s death was like a stone thrown in a calm pond, and people are joining St. Alban’s because of this.  Times like these are opportunities for the church.  We can send a message:  ‘This is a place you can come.’”

In his sermon at Cooley’s memorial service, Adams said: “Every moment of every day is a gift, a gift from the God who made us, and we have to figure out how to live as if every day is our first and our last ... Another gift from Peter, a chance to take stock of our lives."