An overnight fire destroyed a Tacoma church, leaving its parishioners without their place of worship for Christmas.

The First Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Tacoma caught fire just after midnight on Christmas day.

Investigators said the cause of the fire appears to be electrical, possibly the lights around the Christmas tree caught fire, but the investigation is continuing.

Reverend Arthur Banks with Eastside Baptist Church remembers the sadness he felt when his church burned down last year.

"Losing a church is like any other loss. It's devastating," said Banks.

On Christmas morning, Eastside Baptist hosted a community-wide service in their new 250-seat sanctuary.

Thankful to have a new church, Banks and his congregation took up a collection and offered it to the First Samoan Congregational.

The fire at First Samoan broke out following Christmas Eve services.

It was built in 2002 and has more than 200 members.

The church is a total loss.

No one was injured.