Three people remained hospitalized and a Forest Hills church community began to mourn yesterday for a parishioner who died in a crash just outside church doors.

"The Lord's grace will heal," the Rev. John Skirtich told hundreds of parishioners who turned out for Holy Saturday services at St. Maurice Church last night.

On Friday retired priest Elmer Kacinko drove his Buick LeSabre into a portico where several parishioners were chatting after Good Friday services. Parishioners called the crash a horrible accident.

During last night's candlelight service, Father Skirtich and church-goers paused to mourn Madeline Romell, 89, of Forest Hills, who died from her injuries, and prayed for those who were injured.

Donna Rossi, 46, of North Huntingdon, and Anita and Bill Schockling, of North Braddock, remained at UPMC Mercy yesterday in serious condition. Ms. Schockling, 51, is Ms. Romell's daughter; Mr. Schockling is her son-in-law.

Nancy Del Presto, 56, of Wilkinsburg, who suffered a broken foot and was released from the hospital, recounted the crash scene.

She said Ms. Romell was sitting on a bench when Father Kacinko, 79, drove around to the entrance of the church, lost control and sped into the crowd standing under the shelter as several people, including young children, looked on.

"We heard shrieking," she said. "It was just chaos."

Ms. Del Presto had her back turned, talking about lunch plans with Ms. Rossi, who suddenly said, "It doesn't look like that car's stopping."

Ms. Del Presto said she turned around and was "clipped" by the Buick on her left side, while Ms. Rossi was struck on her right. She suffered a dislocated elbow.

Ms. Romell was somehow pinned between a brick pillar and the car, Ms. Del Presto said.

She said she sat down and "talked to Donna, and tried to get her not to pass out. It's just tragic. I'm happy more people weren't hurt."

Forest Hills police last night referred questions to an Allegheny County police accident reconstruction crew now handling the case, but police couldn't be reached for comment.

It's still unknown why Father Kacinko crashed.

"It was an accident," said Jack Onufer, an usher at the church. "But we will pull together and we will heal."

Father Skirtich said that the injured, with "broken bones and shattered psyches," were more concerned for Father Kacinko's well-being.

The priest, who retired from St. Francis Parish in Coral, Indiana County, has been assisting at St. Maurice for about 10 years.

"The first thing they said was, 'How's Father Elmer? Tell him not to worry. Tell him it's OK,' " Father Skirtich said, adding that Father Elmer was in shock but "doing better" yesterday.

"[Ms. Romell] was a daily church-goer, so Father Elmer must have known her well," Ms. Del Presto said.

"Everybody is really fond of Father Elmer. He's been kind of a fixture here because he has been Father [Skirtich's] helper. We'll be sad a long time."