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Video footage show by WCVB shows a firefighter carrying the untouched painting away from the site, surrounded by ash and soot.

The survival of the painting may be a metaphor for faith and spirituality, First Baptist Church Pastor Norm Bendroth told WCVB.

\"Our faith is one of hope and resurrection,\" he told the local station. \"We believe you can rise from the ashes, and joy comes in the morning.\"

\"PHOTO:
Karen Marshall/Reuters
PHOTO: Firefighters attend to the scene of a large fire in a church in Wakefield, Massachusetts, Oct. 23, 2018.
>

The fire rang in at 7 alarms and caused more than $1 million in damage, The Boston Globe reported.

Church members became emotional as they watched crews work to demolish the building on Thursday. People are in \"disbelief,\" Bendroth said.

\"PHOTO:
Karen Marshall/Reuters
PHOTO: Firefighters attend to the scene of a large fire in a church in Wakefield, Mass., Oct. 23, 2018.
>

\"Many of them were born in this town. They were baptized in this church,\" Bendroth said. \"You know, they were hoping to die in this church.\"

Churchgoer Elaine Schindle likened the loss to \"a death in the family.\"

\"PHOTO:
WCVB
PHOTO: A painting of Jesus Christ survived a fire that destroyed the First Baptist Church in Wakefield, Massachusetts.
>

Another church member, Chris Rankin, said the fire was \"unexpected and shocking.\"

\"It's been very important to us and our family,\" she said. \"We come every Sunday.\"

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