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Jennifer Garner is sharing some truly heartbreaking photos of her church after it was destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles fires last month. The actress also included a picture of an item that was found amidst the expansive rubble and debris of the United Methodist Community Church.
The 13 Going On 30 alum previously opened up the destruction of her 'family's church' during an interview with MSNBC, reflecting on how it had once been a "central part" of her community. In one photo Garner shared, she showed fans a mug with a Christmas tree on the front that had been discovered following the blazes, hoping to pass on a "moment of light" for anyone looking.
"A little moment of light and hope to end the week," she began in the caption. "I sent the pastor and music director of my family's church mugs at the holidays. A couple of weeks later, our church, along with the beautiful town surrounding it, was gone. Ross and Zach sifted through the rubble of the church this week, looking for, well, anything."
"Imagine my surprise when I opened this photo - with a note "We found one thing."'
She continued in her caption, "My prayers join the many others for the families and business owners and communities whose lives turned upside down a month ago. And extend to all of you to enjoy health, safety, and your own moments of light and hope this weekend."
In addition to the photo of the mug, she also shared a before-and-after shot of what the church had looked like before being destroyed by the Pacific Palisades fire. The sign in front of what is left of the church appeared untouched in one photo and still contained a sweet message for the holiday season: "Join us for a joyful Christmas season. Pastor John Shaver."
The historic fires began in the beginning of January amid strong Santa Ana winds, and also included the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Just a few days after the blazes began, Garner visited the Pacific Palisades community and talked to MSNBC as she volunteered for World Central Kitchen to feed victims affected by the tragic event.
Garner got emotional as she journalist Katy Tur, "It's my family's church...And it's where my kids went to Sunday school. We lit the Advent candle together there a couple of weeks ago. We watched the little kids perform. It's a preschool. It's a central part of our community."
The actress and mother of three also briefly got candid about "losing a friend" in the fires and revealed, "I did lose a friend. And for our church, it's really tender. So, I don't feel like I should talk about her yet. But yeah, I did lose a friend who did not get out on time."
