congregant

For congregants it is a picture of a hidden church gradually becoming known as a force for good more than an enemy of the state.

Church pews empty as congregants stay home in fear.

"We were barricading the doors between us with Rabbi Walker and a number of the other congregants. He couldn't get in because we were holding the doors firm."

"The staircase was entirely wooden, and there were many people moving upstairs at the time. As the congregants were going, the wooden structure gave way, leading to the collapse," Mr Gebreweld said.

Hundreds of congregants were inside, including many who shielded children, authorities said.