Fire destroys church in Austin neighborhood

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Investigators are searching for the cause of a fire that destroyed a church on Chicago's West Side on Saturday. More than 100 firefighters rushed to the Unity Church of God in Christ in the Austin community.

Hours after the fire started, firefighters remained on the scene, pouring water on hot spots in the century-old church. Across the street members of the Unity Church of God watch helplessly as their place of worship and home of so many memories is destroyed.

PHOTOS: Firefighters battle Austin church fire

"I was saved in this church in 1993, so that's a lot of years," said former member Charles Garrett.

"You really just don't know what to do, so it's sad," said church member Rosetta Smith.

Smith was born in the church 40 years ago. Her father is the pastor, her husband the assistant pastor. It's the only church she has ever known.

Her father was inside the building when the fire started. He was able to escape safely and no one inside was injured.

"Upon arrival, they encountered heavy smoke conditions on the upper floors in what appeared to be a two-story church," said Timothy Sampey, Chicago Fire Department.

Firefighters had to evacuate two nearby buildings. The roof of the church collapsed and the walls are unstable. They say they're unsure what caused the fire at this point. It's still under investigation. Church leaders say the building is insured, but they can never recover all that the fire has taken away.

I still have my father, who is the pastor, I still have my husband, who is the assistant pastor, and I have all the members who belong here. We are alive and well," Smith said.

The pastor says it's still too early to say what happens next, but the church, he says, is more than just a building and the congregation is still together.