A Methodist congregation in New York City has lost its century-old church to a devastating fire.

The early morning blaze Tuesday gutted Maspeth United Methodist Church in Queens, the New York Daily News reported.

The congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2004, and the building dated from 1907.

Ruth Shklanko, 80, who has been a member of the church for 55 years, cried as she watched flames consume the building.

"It's breaking my heart," she said.

Investigators had not determined a cause for the fire. Some parishioners suggested lightning could have hit the building.

Mike Walter, a neighbor, said the church had an "open-door policy" in an area where most residents are Roman Catholic. He said everyone turned out in 2004 for the anniversary celebration.

The Rev. Avelio de Leon, the church's minister, was trying to figure out where the next service would be held.

"I'm retiring at the end of the month, so it's a sad ending," he told the News.