A church in a small Minnesota town west of the Twin Cities was destroyed in a fire early Thursday.

Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze said First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cosmos was "engulfed in flames" when first responders arrived just after 1:30 a.m.

First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cosmos

Before that, someone driving on Highway 4 noticed "a glow," Cruze said, and investigated, finding the church aflame and subsequently calling 911.

No injuries were reported, but the church is "a total loss," Cruze said.

Authorities, including the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, are investigating.

In a statement, First Evangelical Lutheran said, "We are a small country church in rural Cosmos with strong roots." The church shared a message from one of its members on Facebook, saying in part,

See Full Page