Church destroyed after fire caused by apparent lightning strike

A historic church in Mayfield was destroyed by fire Thursday after what officials believe was a lightning strike. YNN's Megan Cruz has the details from Mayfield Presbyterian Church.

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MAYFIELD, N.Y. -- "I feel like I lost a part of my family," said Judy Wenple, a parishioner of Mayfield Presbyterian Church.

As do many others in the town.

"It's really hard to see something you love being burned down, you know, and the longer you stand here, the more it becomes real," said Carol Cownie, another parishioner.

And as the smoke cleared, it became apparent that Thursday's early morning fire would consume Mayfield's Presbyterian Church.

Chief Chris Mraz of the Mayfield Fire Department said, "The whole roof has collapsed into the structure of the building."

The chief said the fire started at 6:50 a.m. and burned into the afternoon.

Though they haven't officially determined the cause, they are looking into whether a lightning bolt struck the church's bell.

"All the memories we had there," said Cownie.

"Both my kids were baptized here," said parishioner Laurie DeMaria.

"My husband's grandparents belonged to this church, we were married here, his parents had their funerals here, my grandchildren go to this church," said Wenple.

But as more of the church came down, these parishioners were reminded of one thing.

"God has a way of working these things out," said Jay Orth, the husband of the church's pastor.

"This is a building and we are the church, so we'll rebuild and we'll be fine," said Beth Potter, a church elder.

Firefighters were able to retrieve a memorial plaque from the front wall of the church. Fire Chief Mraz presented the plaque, which was in memory of Betty Lorey, to her son, Fulton County Sheriff Thomas J. Lorey while at the scene Thursday morning. The plaque remains in nearly perfect condition, according to officials.