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Historic Church, Damaged By Arson, Opens Doors To Public

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As the rain poured down on The Church of St. Mary in Melrose, the scorched walls and broken lights inside remain where a golden altar once stood.

Parishioners, and even non-members, came to Melrose from out of town to see the damage to the 118-year-old structure, caused by a fire in March.

Church officials opened up the Catholic church's doors to the public on Monday.

Church Of St. Mary - Before And After Fire
(credit: Ron Traeger/CBS)

"I grew up, I went to church here all the time," said Joanna Gerads.

She was even married at St. Mary's in 1967.

"Makes me feel really mad at the person who did this because it's not right," Gerads said. "How can you burn a church?"

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives determined last month that arson was the cause of the fire.

"The altar was so beautiful," Gerads said. "I'm just devastated when you think about it."

Melrose Fire Chief Jeremy Kraemer says an investigation is still underway for the people responsible.

"You really need the community to step forward, and hopefully the people that do know something out there pass it on," Kraemer said.

With $5 million worth of damage -- including water damage and broken windows -- church officials plan to rebuild starting in fall. They hope to bring life back to more than a church, but a cornerstone of this small town.

"Probably half of our members, the firefighters, are members of that church," Kraemer said.

Authorities are offering a $7,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

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