Historic Spencer Church Destroyed by Lightning Strike Fire

The First Congregational Church of Spencer, a historic church that stood on Main Street for 280 years, was destroyed in a fire that investigators believe was caused by a lightning strike. The fire started in the steeple before it collapsed onto the rest of the church, which had opened in 1743. The church was destroyed by a fire once before in 1862 and was rebuilt and reopened a year later. Parishioners are heartbroken, and investigators are continuing their investigation.