 The damage was not total, and the exterior shell of the building was still salvageable because the coquina blocks and cement used to build the masonry walls were fireproof.Reconstruction was begun with donations from Henry Flagler and funds raised by the congregation through a national appeal.The congregation hired New York City architect James Renwick, Jr., who happened to be staying in St. Augustine at the time, to restore the burned structure with many improvements being made in its restoration