MADISON, Wis. -- A prayer service was held Tuesday in front of St. Raphael's Cathedral to mark the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed the city's oldest Catholic church.

While the future of the 150-year-old building is unknown, the feelings of its parishioners who attended Tuesday's service are not, WISC-TV reported.

St. Raphael Cathedral in downtown was gutted in an early morning blaze on March 14, 2005.

The flames gutted the interior and kissed the brand new steeple, although it survived the blaze.

The service was held under the shadow of the once-grand church. It brought together parishioners, neighbors and even some of those who fought the blaze last year.

Many attendees said that they don't want to forget the past, WISC-TV reported.

Parishioner Marth Doody said that she was glad the service was organized.

"The people were so emotional … that had gotten married here, had children that were baptized here, had gone to elementary school here," Doody said. "It's a touching kind of thing to have this ceremony on the anniversary."

Anne and Charles Scott said that they had been going to the cathedral for 24 year before the fire.

"Despite losing our building, we did not lose our congregation," Anne Scott said.

Charles has edited a newsletter to help keep the congregation together.

"It is frustrating," Charles Scott said. "People are anxious about it. Parishioners are anxious about it. They'd like to hear a resolution."

Charles Scott said that he'd like to see them rebuild, using the cathedral's old stones, put in two levels of underground parking and build a larger church.

"Using the old stones as much as possible and of course, using the new steeple," he said.

Anne Scott said that she believes there's so much history on the site that she thinks it's too much to lose.

"For the sake of those less fortunate than ourselves, downtown is the place to have a center," she said.

She said that she's almost certain that those who have flocked to other churches would return if a new cathedral were built.

"My impression is they will all be back at St. Raphael's again," she said.

While the anxiousness continues, the decision regarding the cathedral's future rests in the hands of Bishop Robert Morlino. The Diocese of Madison is trying to figure out what is best for the church and the area, WISC-TV reported.

"We still are exploring all the options," said Monsieur Paul Swain of the Diocese of Madison. "The bishop has said everything is on the table. He's indicated his current inclination is to rebuild downtown."

Swain said that the diocese will hold listening sessions this summer to hear from the community.

The diocese hopes to have a decision finalized by the summer, WISC-TV reported.