Rosemount church severely damaged in fire

Firefighters are working to put out a blaze at a church in Rosemount, Minnesota, on Monday afternoon.

Crews initially responded to the fire at 3285 144th St. W. around 10:46 a.m., according to police. City officials are asking people to avoid the area while firefighters tend to the blaze. 

The Minnesota Debre Bisrat St. Gabriel and St. Arsema Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church holds services at the location, according to its Facebook page.

The building has been home to the Ethiopian Orthodox congregation for just a few months. Neighbors said the church's history dates back to the late 1950s.

"It impacted so many lives through the generations," said Christopher Mark, a former staff member at the building once as known as St. John's Lutheran Church.

Mark's connection to the building runs deep. His wife grew up in the church, the couple was married there and their children were baptized inside.

He was at the church when current church members were just learning the news.

"The Ethiopian Orthodox priest was in his official uniform and had his hands on the top of his head, kind of crying out to God for help," Mark said.

Neighbor Dawn Oren called the building "an icon in the community."

Oren is a member of The Foundry Church, which moved out of the building a year ago. She has collected historical documents and photographs to preserve the building's legacy.

"Our hearts are hurting for the people that took over the church and bought the church from us," Oren said. "Even though it's just a building, we feel connected because of all the things that have taken place here and personal events."

A church leader said they are devastated, but they hope to rebuild. An online fundraiser has now raised more than $35,000.

"We join with them in prayer," Mark said. "We join with them if there's ways that we can help fund as they move forward."

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire.