An Ashe County church was destroyed after sheriff’s deputies said someone broke in and set fire to it.

Members of the North Beaver Baptist Church were at the church Monday trying to salvage anything that was left from the fire.

Officials told Channel 9’s Dave Faherty that the damage is estimated at $750,000.

A funeral home in the area is allowing church members to worship there Sunday and will likely do the same this upcoming weekend.

Shortly after firefighters responded much of the roof collapsed at the church and the fellowship hall next door. 

Investigators believe not only is this a case of arson but they think someone broke in before they set the fire.

High on a hillside next to North Beaver Baptist church you can see the damage here.   Nearly everything inside the church which was built during World War II is gone.

 Church members and Pastor Ricky Miller did what they could today to salvage a few bibles, some photographs, and folding chairs from the building.  

What makes it worse for the 75 member congregation is knowing  someone broke inside to steal items before setting the fire. 

 The sheriff's office is not saying at this point what was stolen or how the person got inside the church.