VIROQUA, Wisconsin (WXOW)-- A massive fire destroys a local church.
In the mist of the Bethel Lutheran tragedy, the church still had service on Sunday.
The congregation decided to have a lawn service next to the church.
Neighboring churches provided chairs, an altar, and a piano.
As the fire continued to smolder, members of the congregation gather to remember their beloved church.
"This area, all in here is where our worship area was. The ropes remaining are where the bells were rung," said Sue Eitland.
Eitland is a lifelong member at Bethel Lutheran and has been their organist for 25 years.
"It was devastating. Church is always a safe place, something that you expect will always be here and today it is gone,"said Eitland.
"We will miss the building it was a beautiful building, but the church isn't the building, the church is the people and we will be fine we will go on," said Janelle Olson, the president of the Bethel Lutheran council.
Instead of going to another church this Sunday, the congregation decided to have an outdoor service.
"Everybody wanted to be here on the lawn. They need to be here right now to witness what happened, what is happening, they need to feel God's sprit here. They need to feel the power that even though we have lost a building we are going to be ok," said Olson.
In honor of the 127 year old church, neighbors, friends, and family came together to sing and pray.
"I am just thankful that we can be together and just share out emotions, share our thoughts and share out memories," said Eitland.
"You know, God can make good out of anything and He will and we know that good things are coming," said Olson.
While the church may have lost their beautiful monument, they said they will continue to stand tall, and remain hopeful as they begin to rebuild.
Bethel Lutheran Church would like to thank neighboring churches for providing the chairs, altar and piano for Sunday's service.
The church also has a donation fund at the Viroqua Associated Bank.
Viroqua Associated Bank:
825 North Main Street
Viroqua, WI 54665-1124
(608) 637-8201
