A fire at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral has left more than $1 million in damages.

The fire started in the back of the church shortly before 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Gregory Palaschuk, the president of the cathedral, said a security alarm, followed by a fire alarm, prompted firefighters to arrive.

Crews contained the fire quickly, but smoke and water damage means stained-glass windows are smashed, the pews are covered in soot and the sacristy - a room where the priest keeps sacred vestments - is charred beyond recognition.

"This place was a beacon of hope for Winnipeg and for the faithful across Canada," said Ben Wasylyshen, the artist who designed the stained-glass windows.

"This is disheartening and it's senseless."

The church is also home to the Manitoba branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Museum of Canada. Its Winnipeg museum has artifacts and crafts that were brought over by the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants.

The museum was untouched.

"This is bad enough," said Palaschuk. "You lose the museum, there's artifacts from the turn of the century, you know, 200-year-old artifacts."

The cathedral is closed for now. Pews will be removed and refinished and if smoke crept into the walls, they too will be removed.

The cathedral is insured and adjusters were on the scene today assessing the extent of the damage.

The Winnipeg police arson unit is investigating.