Most Rev. Curtis Guillory, bishop of Beaumont, said Monday he couldn’t imagine visiting Paris without stopping at Notre Dame Cathedral. He attended noon Mass there last September.

But on Monday, Guillory watched the seemingly unthinkable on television, as fire engulfed the massive, 800-year-old church, located in the city’s center, and flames toppled the cathedral spire.

Guillory said what he watched on TV Monday reminded him of 9/11, when terrorist attacks toppled the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers.

“It was very sad to see it go down in flames,” he said.

Guillory said the cathedral’s size and imposing, magnificent architecture lent it an air of permanence.

“It’s been through wars and revolution. It was desecrated during the French Revolution,” he said. “But every time I went there, I could see it from miles away, along the Seine River. You get that kind of awesome feeling, and feel the presence of God.”

The bishop said only St. Peter’s in Rome is as inspirational to Catholics globally. Notre Dame’s impact, he said, is both cultural and spiritual.

While he said Southeast Texans, many of whom have French family roots, may hold special affinity for the cathedral, “Notre Dame transcends cultures, ethnicities and religions.”

Guillory said he would likely speak of the fire in his homily when he celebrates the Chrism Mass at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont.

Construction of Notre Dame Cathedral began in 1160 and was largely complete a century, although it has been frequently modified. Its architecture is French Gothic and it draws about 12 million visitors annually.