ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – After Hurricane Irma, damage estimates continue climbing for people.
In St. Johns County, an historic church only knows the bill for repair will be big, but can’t determine yet exactly how much it'll need.
Memorial Presbyterian Church is an iconic part of the St. Augustine skyline and is a popular stop for tourists to take pictures and tours of the sanctuary.
If it’s ever going to look the same, members of the 127-year-old church in the Ancient City need help from the community.
"It is not only an historical treasure for the people who call this place their spiritual home, but it is an historical treasure for our entire city," said Memorial Presbyterian Church Pastor Hunter Camp.
Memorial Presbyterian Church was commissioned and built by Henry Flagler in the late 19th century.
"He built the church in honor of his daughter Jenny Louise Benedict, who happened to die in childbirth," Camp said. "They were quite close."
The church has been through hurricanes before, but Irma left marks, including the cross that toppled on the iconic copper dome.
"The cross is about 25 feet tall," Camp said. "With the crashing of the cross onto the dome, there are now gashes in the dome, where it's possible that we have seepage."
Camp said the Spanish tile is in disarray -- blown off the roof in some places. A spire flew off and hit the north side tile roof. The church also had flooding during the storm.
All of the damage adds up -- but just how much is not yet known. That means financial and emotional strain.
"The fact that remains, though, that there are certain parts of the storm, certain parts of the damage that we feel pretty certain the insurance will not cover," Camp told News4Jax. "It's exceptionally difficult. Very, very hard."
Camp wants people to know what’s happening so they can help. He also believes faith will be rewarded.
"Our church will lean on God during this time, trusting that God will provide," he said. "I have no doubt that that will happen. No doubt whatsoever."
News4Jax asked why the church doesn't have a specific dollar amount for the damage, and Camp pointed out that where the cross fell blocks access to the dome by ladder, meaning they'll need a crane.
Camp said an architect and engineer with experience in historic structures viewed the dome Wednesday, and they suggested there is serious damage to the integrity of the dome -- so it’s not going to be a simple patch job.
But the church also has damage to deal with a few blocks away, and it needs the community's help at the cemetery.
Huguenot Cemetery in St. Augustine sits just outside the Ancient City, which was on purpose. The cemetery was the only place Protestants could be buried until about 1890.
"We're talking about a cemetery that is the oldest Protestant cemetery in the entire state of Florida," Camp said. "So it's not just Presbyterians (who) have been buried there, but it's people of all Protestant traditions (who) have been buried there."
Camp said Memorial Presbyterian has been caretaker to the cemetery for roughly 150 years. Hurricane Irma knocked down some of the massive natural guardians that towered above.
"The devastation that's happened in the Huguenot Cemetery is massive," Camp said. "There are trees down everywhere. There are headstones damaged."
In the last two weeks, people have cleaned up some of the debris, but major work still needs to be done.
Since those buried at Huguenot Cemetery represent many Christian traditions, Camp believes others may offer assistance.
"We are hopeful that churches and individuals will help us with the cleanup because it is a massive bill, in that it's going to be tough for us to handle alongside the damage that we have to the sanctuary," he said.
Huguenot Cemetery was a Protestant burial ground between 1821 and 1884. It’s believed to have at least 436 burials.
Memorial Presbyterian Church is in the top 10 of various “religious wonders of the United States” lists. The church has been able to hold services despite the damage.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the repair costs can do so on the church's website. Click here to donate.