A fire has destroyed a 134-year-old church in western Illinois that was on the National Register of Historic Places.

Officials said the Church of Christ started burning late Wednesday after it was struck by lightning. Volunteer firefighters from several neighboring towns attempted to fight the flames, but after about an hour their focus shifted to ensuring the fire didn't spread.

Denise Kappa
Denise Kappa
loading...

The church is in the small Pike County town of Perry, which has about 400 residents and is about 40 miles east of Quincy. The Quincy Herald-Whig reports it had not been used for worship since 2003, but continued to hold special events.

A woman who lives about two blocks from the church says it was a part of her family's history.

The remnants of the church will be demolished.

More From KHMO-AM 1070, News-Talk-Sports