An investigation by local and state fire officials continues today after an abandoned church burned to the ground in under an hour Wednesday in the Rose Hill community.

Rose Hill Fire Chief Jesse Jones said the church, located on Rose Hill Road, was completely destroyed by the time firefighters arrived on the scene at approximately 1:30 p.m.

“It was already on the ground,” Jones said. “It only took about 30 minutes to burn down.”

Despite the loss of the structure, Jones said the quick response of Rose Hill firefighters kept the blaze from spreading.

“We were able to contain it and secure the perimeter and keep out of the woods,” he said.

Standing just feet away from the still-smoking rubble, Jones said the investigation would start as soon as the remains cooled off, adding the state Fire Marshal’s Office would likely take over once a preliminary investigation is concluded.

Jones said a cause of the fire was not apparent.

“We don’t know what caused it yet,” he said. “No one used this church and it hadn’t had power running to it for probably 20 years.”