State Street Baptist Church will face an estimated $1.65 million bill to repair or rebuild its fire-ravaged building. Architect Bill G. Finley of Bowling Green gave church leaders that news during an informational meeting Wednesday at Reeds Restaurant. The historic church burned May 4 after a roofers torch accidentally started the blaze, Bowling Green Fire Department Deputy Chief Oscar Cherry said. Youve got a mess you know that, Finley said. In looking at it, yes, we can rebuild. We can rebuild with the walls there. … But it will cost considerably to do it. The Rev. Freddie Brown, the churchs pastor, wasnt surprised by Finleys cost estimate. I knew it was going to be high, he said. Rebuilding could take 24 to 30 months or longer, depending on the speed of the insurance settlement, Finley said. Repairs would be to the sanctuary, balcony and basement with the exterior walls remaining as facade only, according to a Finley-provided handout. Rebuilding would include demolishing the entire structure and replacing it, the handout said. Demolition and site work could begin as early as summer; new building construction could start this fall and be completed within nine months to a year. Church leaders now are awaiting restoration and rebuilding estimates from Tennessee-based Church Mutual insurance company and a public claims adjuster, Brown said. Results of an analysis to determine the stability of the buildings brick exterior also are pending, Brown said. Along with deciding the sanctuarys fate, church leaders also must choose a bid for repairs to its educational complex, which sustained water and smoke damage in the fire, Brown said. Meanwhile, much of the church building has been roped off and signs have been posted for safety purposes, trustee James Walker said, adding that bricks in the back portion of the church fell Wednesday. The fire-damaged roof has not been covered during recent inclement weather, but rain has not caused further damage, Brown said. Covering the roof with tarpaulin or plastic would only put extra weight on it and could cause the brick walls to collapse, he said.