MADISON, Wis. -- The third Easter Sunday has come and gone without services at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in downtown Madison.

A fire gutted the historic Catholic church in 2005 and there are still questions as to whether the building should rebuild, WISC-TV reported.

Madison Bishop Robert Morlino said that he has personally struggled with the decision. He said that he has taken his time because he wants to focus on what will be best for the diocese in 100 years.

"I don't know that there would be any better time for me to finalize the decision in my own mind then when I'm praying more," said Morlino.

Morlino said that he spends more time in prayer during Lent. He said he plans to keep the decision private, only confiding in people that he trusts. However, he said that he plans to tell the congregation of his decision in June.

"We just keep hoping and praying the bishop will make a decision," said St. Raphael's parishioner Jean Lochner.

During the past three years, the congregation of St. Raphael's has scattered to other churches.

"It should be there," said Lochner. "Because it's been there since 1850 and it's a landmark."

"I think that they should rebuild where it was because it was a nice location, centrally located and people can get there easily," said parishioner Elizabeth Cutter-Wilson.

The deed will not be a factor in the bishop’s decision. The land was sold in 1842 for just $1 by Madison founder James Doty, but it came with a restriction: that the land could only be used for church and school purposes, WISC-TV reported.

Morlino said that it would cost money to find out if the deed controls what they can do with the land now.

"That's the problem," said Morlino. "I'd have to spend some money finding out what the validity of that deed or the binding force of that deed or any stipulation was."

The church won't investigate that unless Morlino decides not to rebuild on the site, WISC-TV reported.

"I'm leaning in my heart toward rebuilding downtown," said Morlino. "Beyond that, I'm not in a position to say."

For just a while longer, the community will continue to wait and pray.

"We keep praying for our cathedral," said Lochner. "We certainly miss it."