The priest from an eastern Ontario church that was gutted by fire Thursday is confident the century-old church will rise again.

St. Daniel's Catholic Church in South Mountain, about 75 kilometres southeast of Ottawa, caught fire and was largely destroyed in a blaze that caused $1 million damage. But Father Cosmas Ajawara said he's gaining strength and optimism from his congregation.

“It is the saddest day of my life," he said Friday. "It was very difficult as the congregation cried together and prayed together, but by supporting each other, we will overcome. We shall rise again."

It took five hours for firefighters from neighbouring communities to get the blaze under control. Mourners who were attending a wake at the funeral parlour next door were forced to evacuate the building in case the church collapsed.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Sunday service will take place outside in the cemetery on church grounds, where many of those who helped build the church are buried.