Two days after Wasilla Bible Church building was badly damaged by a fire being investigated as arson, members of the Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's church gathered at alternate site, at Wasilla Middle School, for Sunday's services.

Despite the estimated $1million damage to the church after Friday's suspicious fire, about 1,200 people who attended the service were in high spirits. Though the news of the fire had initially shocked and frustrated most worshippers, they later felt blessed; and at the school, they lingered over a potluck dinner for a church family leaving Alaska.

Palin's spokesman, Bill McAllister, said that Palin - the former Republican VP candidate - could not attend services Sunday, as she was in Juneau preparing to propose a state budget. She had, however, stopped by on Saturday, and is believed to have told an assistant pastor she was sorry if the fire was connected to the "undeserved negative attention" the church has received since she became the vice presidential candidate August 29.

After the hour-long service at the church, associate pastor John Doak said: "The congregation realizes the church is more than the building. The definition of the church is the body of Christ, made up of God's people." He added: "The church is still there. We are the church."

The blaze was set at the main entrance of the two-and-a-half year old church building, while a small group, including two children, was inside. No one was injured.