Popular Golden Church Damaged By Flooding

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - Services at a popular church in Golden had to be canceled on Sunday. The sanctuary at the Lookout Mountain Community Church was filled with water after a pipe burst.

Services were already canceled Saturday and the church might be closed for at least another week. It only took one hour for the two story church to fill with water.

"Some people say that's why we have to shut the curtains, so people pay attention to the worship. It's a beautiful, beautiful location," Pastor Bill Senyard said.

The pipe burst in the gift shop and Bibles and books are ruined. The electricity had to be cut and with freezing temperatures, water turned to ice.

"We have icicles hanging from the ceilings, so not a happy new year," church controller Alison Bristow said.

The sanctuary is like a small pool, giving new meaning to the term Holy Water. In the lobby, they tried to salvage the pictures and artwork. But the worst of the damage is in the children's wing.

"The roof is caving in, losing panels and dripping. The rugs are just destroyed; all the toys are filled with water," Bristow said.

Senyard managed to find the lighter side for those helping out and wading in the water.

"Every now and then it's good for Presbyterians to have a baptism,"  he said.

The church is  looking for a temporary location, like a school gym, to hold their services next week and possibly longer.