A historic Massachusetts church that dates back to the 18th century became engulfed in flames on Friday night.
Fire crews rushed to the First Congregational Church in Spencer, Mass. — about 50 miles outside of Boston — after reports flooded in at around 3 p.m. that the church’s steeple caught on fire following a storm, according to 7 News Boston.
Flames burst out the sides of the ancient church’s steeple and quickly spread to its ground floor before the raging fire ultimately overcame it.
Authorities revealed that no one was injured during the blaze and that the church was empty when the fire broke out.
Fire officials told the outlet they believe lightning struck the religious establishment.
Rev. Bruce MacLeod, the church’s Interim Pastor, said the building was constructed using wood and other materials going back as far as the 1800s, which could be why it caught fire and burned to the ground as quickly as it didn’t, told Boston 25.
The Pastor of the Protestant church, whose congregation is around 30 people, revealed that it’s too early to know if the church can be rebuilt.
Firefighters put up a collapse zone around the church during the blaze and are expected to pull down what was left of the building’s front walls, according to Normandin.
Investigators have not yet determined if the remainder of the burnt and hollowed church must be completely torn down.
“It’s A part of the town. What can you do? We’re all sad. We’re all grieving about this,” Robert St. Germain told 7 News Boston, revealing his sister got married at the centuries-old church.
The First Congregational Church was built in 1743 after Nathaniel Cunningham, a wealthy Cambridge merchant, donated the land for its construction — a decade before the town of Spencer was established, according to its website.
The church was replaced by a larger building in 1772, with the steeple being added in 1802.
This was not the first case of a fire causing havoc for the church.
In January 1862, a fire completely destroyed the house of worship. It was rebuilt in 1863 and stood until Friday’s fire.
With Post wires
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