The hotel explosion in Cuba's capital Havana that killed 45 people earlier this month, has also badly damaged the country's most important Baptist church. 

El Calvario church, which is located right next to the five star Hotel Saratoga, suffered important damage to the building, with its 19th-century dome completely shattered and parts of the upper floors collapsing. 

A gas leak caused the explosion in the hotel, which was being renovated after a two-year closure because of the pandemic and was due to open that same week.  

The blast left hundreds of people trapped, with many killed and others injured. At least 15 remain in hospital. 

It's understood there were at least 18 people in the church when the explosion took place, none of which have been killed or severely injured. 

Alejandro Clemente González, the church's administrator, was speaking with an electrician in the church when it all happened. 

Speaking to the Associated Press, he said: "I called on the Lord, 'What is this, Lord? Help us!'"

"I remembered that there was an exit at the back, and then the brothers who were on the third floor came down, we all met, we counted one another," and managed to escape. 

"Since then I have slept badly. I jump at every sound," González said.

The Baptist bought the building in 1889 and gradually established the church. It also served as a seminary and the headquarters of Baptists in Western Cuba, who are around 70,000 people. 

"For each believer, each Christian, each Baptist who comes, this is their home," said the Rev. David González, also told the Associated Press. 

Although authorities have not yet been in contact with church officials regarding the state of the building, it would fall under the auspices of the Havana Historian's Office to oversee the restoration as the building is registered as part of Cuba's historical heritage.