Reverend Erin Todd stands near the edge of rubble and watches as crews take down what is left of the church she has ministered over the past 10 years.
"It's the first time I cried since it all happened," Rev. Todd told Sudbury.com.
The Grace United Church on Bancroft Drive was demolished Tuesday after a fire destroyed much of the building on July 24. The building was 78 years old.
An investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office and Greater Sudbury Fire Services determined the church was struck by lightning twice during a thunderstorm that hit the city that evening.
"To see it come down has really triggered the emotions in me today," Rev. Todd said. "But our loss was only material"
"The church is not the building. The church is the community of faith and our community of faith is very strong. We will continue. We will rebuild and we will have all the memories that were made in this building."
The church community plans to move into a temporary building by Aug. 11.
The temporary location has not been announced.
