TAMPA, Fla. — Members of a Tampa congregation continued on Monday to take stock of the extent of damage to their church by a fire over the weekend.

According to Keith Babb, senior pastor of The Way Church of Tampa Bay, the fire destroyed a number of irreplaceable keepsakes in addition to damaging the building itself.

"Decades of memories that were lost," he says referencing the parish library where books, photo albums and other items were once housed, items the congregation at "The Way Church of Tampa Bay" are now left to clean up.

"It's impacting the members, it's impacting the kids, it's impacting the community, so I don't think it could've came at a worse time during the holidays," said Babb.

The holidays are a time when this parish reaches out to the community. Whether members are helping women transition after incarceration or buying Christmas gifts and food for children in need, with no electricity and extensive damage to the church, Babb said the fire will impact outreach efforts this holiday season.

"This was our meeting grounds and to not have a meeting ground in the community is difficult," said Babb. "Typically we would house all of the things that we purchase here and again those plans have changed."

Plans have changed but hope is not lost. 

The church has called this building home since the 1960s. Despite the damage, the church held services for its congregation the day after the fire.

The congregation has set up a GoFundMe account to accept donations going toward rebuilding the church. To make a donation, click HERE. 

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