A quick response by area fire departments is being credited for extinguishing a fire and possibly saving St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Marthasville which was struck by lightning during last Friday's strong thunderstorms. While the 104-year-old Marthasville church suffered considerable damage, congregation members are grateful it was limited mainly to the attic and roof. Members of the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department were on the scene within minutes of getting dispatched at 6:52 p.m. A total of 47 firefighters responded, including crews from Washington and Warrenton. Flames and heavy smoke were visible when firefighters first arrived on the scene, Marthasville Fire Chief Jeff Backhaus said. Crews quickly got the blaze under control, he said. Backhaus said the outcome may have been different if not for a quick response. "Five to 10 minutes later would have made a large difference," Backhaus stated. "It might have destroyed the church. Luckily it was noticed and we were able to get to the scene quick." A lightning bolt struck speakers located on top of the church roof and traveled down wires to the attic, according to Backhaus. The most visible damage was where firefighters made entry into the attic by cutting a hole in the roof and an area where some siding melted. A church secretary was inside at the time when the lightning hit, but was able to escape unharmed. The lightning strike was witnessed by resident Joe Bauer, who was standing on the front steps of his house more than a block away after returning from his son's baseball practice. Though he went to the church and didn't notice any visible damage, he regretted not reporting the strike earlier. "You could see the smoke come up," Bauer said. "You knew it hit the church. There were enough bright lights to see it." Pastor George Dohm, who was out of state at the time, quickly returned. He said he is thankful to the firefighters and community members who offered support in the aftermath of Friday's fire. "The fire departments did an incredible job," he said. "Community-wide, people responded. It's neat to see people, even those who aren't members, chipping in." Though flames were contained to the attic area, the sanctuary and adjacent foyer suffered heavy water and smoke damage. Crews were on the scene until around midnight. Dohm, who met with the insurance adjuster and structural engineer on Monday, said it's not been decided yet on how the church will proceed with weekend services. Services could be moved to the fellowship hall connected to the sanctuary and the summer service schedule could be changed as well. Dohm said it appears some of the more sentimental items inside the sanctuary, such as the organ, stained-glass windows and a cabinet full of archived mementos, were not damaged. The church, built in 1905, just had its roof replaced last summer. "We're just very grateful," he said. "Everybody did a great job."