ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Members of the Jefferson Ave Seventh-Day Adventist Church are dealing with the aftermath of a fire on Christmas day that engulfed the church.

"I thought I was dreaming,” said Cornice Williams, who has been a member of the church for more than 40 years.
“I didn't think that this had happened. It's the memories that we shared here at Jefferson. And just thinking about the different things that we have done here and the people's lives we've touched, it's been unbelievable."

Donnell Johnson surveyed the aftermath from the back of the church. As someone who grew up there and served as the church's organist, he also couldn't believe it.

"We are just going to have to start over,” Johnson said. “I don't know how we are going to do it yet but there are enough of us who are going to make it work because the church has been here for 50-60 years I've been going. We will rebuild. I feel very strongly about us rebuilding it but at this point, my heart is broken."

Less than 24 hours after the fire, members of the church gathered for a service in front of the building.

Pastor Hanson Drysdale assured the congregation this will not stop them from sharing the gospel in their community.

"God has already provided a way out,” Drysdale said. “Nothing takes God by surprise. And so the church is not within the four walls. This is the church. The church remains militant."

For Williams, this tragedy is just a new beginning for the church.

"God's got our back,” Williams said. “We are just going to try to pick the pieces and keep moving."

Church officials are trying to raise $250,000 to rebuild the sanctuary. The Northeastern Conference of Seventh Day Adventists has announced they have started a GoFundMe page to help with this effort. 

In the meantime, the church will continue to have virtual services. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.