An historic church in Spencer was destroyed in a fire that was apparently started after the steeple was struck by lightning.
The First Congregational Church of Spencer stood on Main Street for 280 years as a place of worship. It quickly went up in flames after a thunderstorm Friday afternoon.
Investigators believe the fire started in the steeple before it collapsed onto the rest of the church, which had opened in 1743.
Firefighters were able to pull back in time before the steeple fell apart in the flames.
"All I heard was a big boom, I don't like thunderstorms and I was scared and when I came out I couldn't even believe the church was on fire. It was terrible," said witness Krystal Sanchez. "It's not what we want ever," said Pastor Dr. Bruce MacLeod. "It could have been horrific."
McLeod said parishioners are "broken hearted."