A fire gutted the Glyndon United Methodist Church back in 1929, and for a few tense moments late Sunday, it appeared history would repeat itself.

"We had a terrible crack of lightning," said parishioner Marti Clements, "It sounded very, very close, and so we came and there were flames coming out."

The lightning had struck the church steeple, sparking the roof and an interior chamber, which houses the church bell.

Pastor Norman Obenshain was visiting a parishioner in an emergency room when his wife reached him on his cell phone.

"She said I want you to know everyone's okay, but the church is on fire," said Pastor Obenshain.

Fortunately, when workers rebuilt the church after it burned down almost 80 years ago, they used cinderblock, stone, stucco and slate in hopes what it would be virtually fireproof.

"We know the roof is burned through and we know that we have some water damage and some carpet damage, and these sorts of things," said the pastor, "but very minimal... and for that, we're very thankful."

While firefighters were able to save the church in Glyndon, the same cannot be said for a new home in Randallstown.

While fire investigators have not yet confirmed lightning sparked the fire, the devastation is complete.

By the time Baltimore and Howard County fire crews arrived at the vacant house off Wrightsmill Road, it was fully engulfed in flames and burned to the ground.