Fire gutted Cleveland's historic Euclid Avenue Congregational UCC building during the morning hours of March 23. Photo Gregg Brekke

A massive fire apparently ignited by lightning has claimed the historic structure that housed the Euclid Avenue Congregational UCC in Cleveland.

Clevelanders awoke Tuesday morning to TV news reports that the impressive stone structure – home to a diverse, multi-racial congregation and tucked within the sprawling Cleveland Clinic medical center campus – had been destroyed. Although there were no significant injuries in the blaze that began just after midnight Tuesday, one firefighter was treated for an eye injury. In addition, eight patients at two adjacent Cleveland Clinic buildings were moved because of smoke in the hospital's ventilation system.

The busy Euclid Avenue east-end corridor was closed to traffic Tuesday morning out of concern that the building's remaining front facade could collapse.

"One never knows what the next day will bring," said Sherry. "There is a deeply rooted grief over the loss of this building that has served so many for so many years. This was a beloved building for so many people."

Sherry moved to Cleveland in 1989 when the national offices were relocated from New York. "We joined Euclid Avenue shortly thereafter," said Sherry. "My installation services took place there. The church has meant and means a great deal to us."

Sherry marveled at the immediate support received from "so many UCC people and beyond. There is such a commonality of faith, an ability to support people in times of loss. Though we grieve, we continue to trust that God will help us find a way forward. In that trust, we hope, indeed, to see a brighter tomorrow."

The Rev. Terri Young, the church's interim pastor since Easter 2008, said the co-chairs of the church's governing board and part of the staff met Tuesday morning. Congregants will meet Tuesday evening at Mt. Zion Congregational UCC in Cleveland. "We'll meet to grieve, to worship and to remember," said Young, adding the church has accepted an offer of worship space at the recently vacated First Methodist Church building at East 30th Street and Euclid Avenue.

Leon Bibb, news anchor for Cleveland's NewsChannel 5 ABC affiliate, was a longtime member of the church and is scheduled to be liturgist at upcoming Palm Sunday services. "That's just the building. The church is the people," Bibb said in an early morning interview. "Maybe God is still talking to us."

The Rev. Felix Carrion, coordinator of the UCC's Stillspeaking Ministry, was pastor at Euclid Avenue from March 2003 through December 2007. "It's devastating to think that a local church like that has to lose so much. But we're OK, we've been reaching out, and folks have been calling me."

Carrion said he drove past the smoldering remnants of the building late Tuesday morning en route to the UCC's downtown national offices, located just four miles from the church. "It's gone," he said. "It's just gone."

Tim Robson, organist at the church for 26 years, posted a message Tuesday morning on Facebook asking for the wider church's thoughts and prayers. "I believe that God will provide for our future," he wrote.

Euclid Avenue Church council met Tuesday afternoon to discuss possible next steps, and a meeting of church members is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mt. Zion Congregational UCC in Cleveland.