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LOCKRIDGE, IOWA -- The New Sweden United Methodist Church caught fire late Friday night due to a lightning strike. As of Wednesday at 10:30 AM, the ruins were still smoldering.

Four nearby fire departments responded to the blaze, using an estimated 14,000 gallons of water. The fire was under control early Saturday morning, but the structure was a total loss.

Pastor Dianne Brokken told KTVO that the church was built in the 19th Century. She said that it was the first Swedish church west of the Mississippi River. Swedish immigrants arrived in the area around 1850.

"The church that burned the other night was built in 1871. So it has weathered many a storm, and this one it didn't. It's been here a very long time," Pastor Brokken said.

"The storm was really different from most storms that have come over. And I had my husband take a picture of it earlier," said Carla Woodsmall, a church member.

Woodsmall lives nearby. Her husband was able to capture a photo of the church as a storm was approaching...shortly before a bolt of lightning hit the steeple, setting the structure ablaze.

"I kind of opened my eyes and the whole bedroom was just golden yellow. And I looked out and I hollered down to my husband that the steeple was on fire. And I ran down and called 911 and then I called Dianne...I really think it was out of hand at the very beginning. It just went so fast. The fire trucks got here within 10 to 20 minutes," Woodsmall said.

"We do plan to rebuild. We have replacement insurance and we plan to rebuild. That's all in the infant stage right now," Pastor Brokken said.

She added that many artifacts were stored in a hutch when the fire broke out.

"The few Swedish artifacts that we had from the original settlers: a Swedish Bible, Communion chalice and pitcher, and a painting were in the center of the top of that hutch...and we were able to save it. The firemen brought it out to us," Pastor Brokken said.

The 63-member congregation gathered at a nearby church on Sunday. Pastor Brokken said it was a service of celebration and memories...but also a time to share sadness.

Members of the New Sweden United Methodist Church will hold a board meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss their future.