Tampa, Florida -- For the first time we're seeing exclusive video inside the historic Tampa church destroyed by fire on Monday.
The fire, which Tampa Fire Rescue says is not suspicious, caused $400,000 worth of damage and took with it a good chunk of the community's history.
New Salem Missionary Baptist Church is near the corner of North Oregon Avenue and West Fig Street in the area of North Hyde Park.
10 News has obtained photos of what New Salem Missionary Baptist Church looked like before the fire. You're able to see the sanctuary and the pews. The church was up for sale listed for nearly $1.8 million.
The exclusive video from inside the historical church shows the massive damage caused when the fire roared through the old building. When it went up in flames, some of Tampa's local history was lost forever.
Tuesday after the fire, church members and people from the community were still dropping by to see the damage. Many were moved to tears while others prayed quietly at the scene.
The community was once called Dobybille and it's where Tampa's black families lived when neighborhoods were segregated by race according to local historian, Rodney Kite-Powell, from Tampa Bay History Center.
"There were businesses - there were four churches - there was a school - the Dobeyville school and there were people of every economic background who worked there."
Why Do They Call it That: Dobyville and Fowler Avenue
Church leaders gathered across the street from the church saying they're holding onto their faith and praising God they say for miracles. The fire broke out just 30 minutes before the church's daycare would have opened to children. The daycare was licensed to care for 30 kids, four years old and older.
Deacon John Billups points to not only the lives that were spared, but the sacred items that were spared too.
"His garments that we use for communion...pure white...no smoke damage...God is good...robes and everything came out of that room right beneath where the fire started."
Deacon Billups showed 10 News several items used to prepare and serve communion that were saved.
Children from the daycare have been placed in other area daycare's and church leaders say they will meet for Bible Study on Wednesday night and Sunday worship services but they'll do it at a nearby location.
Rodney Kite-Powell visited the church on Monday after the fire and says he learned that a church member has managed to save some historical photos and mementos from the church because they happened to have them stored at their home.
