A fire tore through a church built in 1904 southwest of Winnipeg in the community of Starbuck on Friday.
It’s believed to have started with a grass fire that spread to the church and neighbouring houses around 1 p.m.
Damage to the church is pegged at more than half a million dollars, while damage to houses is estimated at $75,000.
Neighbours said the church was consumed by flames within minutes.
Fire crews from the RM of Macdonald called on Headingley firefighters to help battle the blaze.
Residents called the loss of the church devastating and said the community had many memories attached to it.
Some contents were salvaged from the church.
- with a report from Cheryl Holmes
