FAIRFIELD, Ky. (WAVE) - In his three decades as the pastor of Second Baptist Church of Fairfield, Reverend Dr. Calvin Holloway’s church has never weathered a storm this bad.

“I’m still a little bit in shock, hoping that it’s just a dream and we’ll wake up,” he said. “But I realize it’s reality.”

During the strong round of storms that battered the Louisville area and southern Indiana Thursday, a bolt of lightning stuck the steeple and set it ablaze. A congregate who lives next door, captured the flames bursting from the nearly 50-year-old building.

This left the church without power, without a steeple, and for the time being without a place to gather.

“I was just home, just resting with my family, and I got a call that the church was on fire,” Reverend Holloway said.

What’s left of the steeple is left sitting in the parking lot. Most of the damage is in the front of the church, some from the fire and some from the water used to put it out.

Without electricity, the annual Super Saturday youth celebration has been canceled.

Other churches and pastors are offering their support. Sunday’s service, which is normally attended by dozens of people, will be at Houglin-Greenwell Funeral Home in Bardstown.

“They’ve reached out to us and offered whatever assistance that they could offer as far as their facilities or anything else that we need,” Reverend Holloway said. “We’re truly blessed.”

The church is currently waiting to get an estimate on the cost of damages, and says they those that want to help can do so on their website.

Reverend Holloway says they’ll stick to what they know as they find a way forward.

“With God’s help, we’ll get through this.” he said. “We are the church, and we will survive, and we will get through this.”

Northeast Nelson Fire Protection District and several other departments worked to put out the fire.