Congregation Devastated After Fire Guts NYC Church

NEW YORK ― An early morning fire destroyed a church in the Bronx, but that didn't keep the faithful from their Sunday services.

"I'm crushed," congregation member Lorraine Ferrell said. "I'm a member of love gospel, and it's just heart-breaking."

Members of the Love Gospel Assembly Church were reeling Sunday as they tried to process the devastation that occurred early Sunday morning, when their house of worship was gutted by fire. It was time to rely on their faith, comfort each other, and try to make sense of what had happened.

"It's really sad. We try to come to church every Sunday," said parishioner Jacquim Brown.

Some members of the congregation were totally unaware that a fire had destroyed their church. They only found out when they arrived Sunday morning for what they thought was going to be a normal Sunday service.

"My heart is breaking. We came to start service at 9:30, we got here, and saw there was a fire," church member Meshel Pommells said. "We don't know what to say."

"The church does so much for this community, and for us, so it's really devastating," Ferrell said.

Undeterred by their loss, the congregation held an emotional and spirited prayer meeting in the church parking lot. Bronx Borough President Rueben Diaz, Jr. said it's time to chip in.

"Dig into your pockets, dig into your wallets," Diaz said. "This is the time we have to help build this temple back stronger than ever."

"It hasn't stopped us, it's just going to make us stronger," Pommells said. "This is not going to stop us."

Following Sunday morning's prayer service, the Walker Memorial Church, just a few blocks away, opened its doors for the Love Gospel Assembly faithful.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

CBS 2's Mark Morgan contributed to this report.