Global Courant
Firefighters in a central Massachusetts town were responding to a fire at a century-old historic church on Friday after the building was struck by lightning during a storm.
The Spencer Fire Department said firefighters went to First Congregational Church around 3 p.m. to a report of a fire in the tower. Flames and smoke could be seen coming from the old Route 9 structure.
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The historic First Congregational Church caught fire on Friday as crews fought to put out the blaze. (Town of Spencer, Massachusetts Police via Facebook)
Authorities have not said if there were any injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District said the meetinghouse had previously been struck by lightning during a storm.
The church was built in 1743 on land donated by a wealthy merchant, according to the website. The town of Spencer was not founded until ten years later.
In 1772 a larger church was built on the site. A tower and bell were added in 1802.
Smoke billows from the First Congregational Church in Spencer, Massachusetts. (Town of Spencer, Massachusetts Police via Facebook)
The church was destroyed by a fire in 1862, but was rebuilt, Boston 25 reported.
