Around midnight on July 28, 1994 a huge bolt of lightning struck Trinity Memorial Church, shorting out its alarm system and starting a fire under the roof that smouldered undetected for about four hours. By the time the fire department was called at 4:15 a.m., the blaze was consuming the roof.

The fire destroyed the roof, reducing massive ceiling timbers to splintered rubble, blackening the upper sections of the stone facade, and breaking many of the stained glass windows. Water damage was enormous as well.

In an overwhelming display of community support and generosity, more than 800 individuals, friends, businesses, and community organizations contributed to the rebuilding efforts in the weeks that followed. Below are photos taken during, and shortly after the fire.