The clean-up operation has started at Downshire Road Presbyterian Church which bore the brunt of the bomb attack on Newry courthouse earlier this week.
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After the police lifted their security cordon on Tuesday night, Rev Brian Colvin along with some of the church's elders got their first look at the extent of the damage.
"What we were first faced with were our doors which were blown open, there was debris everywhere in the church grounds and glass all over the floors," the minister told UTV.
"Obvious damage to the stained glass windows but there were mixed emotions. We thought it could have been a lot, lot worse."
The church is awaiting a report from structural engineers amid fears that a side building which is used for various activities may have to be demolished.
Members of a badminton club had just left the premises when the device exploded at 10.37pm on Monday night and left debris scattered across the road.
"What purpose does it serve? Five minutes of madness leads to months of disruption and distress for others," Rev Brian Colvin said.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged all parties to support the power-sharing deal as the best response to the attack.
Mr Brown said getting behind the Hillsborough agreement is the "biggest signal" that could be sent to the dissidents blamed for the latest attack.
At Prime Minister's questions Mr Brown said: "Any renewed terrorist attacks are something that we have got to be both vigilant about and take the necessary action to stop.
"The way we show terrorist organisations that we have no truck with their violence is building up the strength of the political and democratic process in Northern Ireland.
"That is why I urge all parties, parties in this House and in the Northern Ireland Assembly, to support the agreement that will mean the devolution of policing and justice and the end to a process of constitutional conflict over many years in Northern Ireland."
Police have said it was a miracle no one was injured when an estimated 250lb bomb exploded.
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