They gathered in anger, sorrow, fear and solidarity.

In the wake of last week’s terrifying police revelation that a serial killer is behind the disappearance and murder of at least five men in Toronto’s Gay Village, close to 300 people filled Metropolitan Community Church Sunday evening to remember the victims with song and prayer.

“We are all here because we need to be here,” Rev. Sam Morris told the vigil. “For community, for healing and for sacred space.”

Church member Mary Lederer said she was startled to learn the man accused of the murders, landscaper Bruce McArthur, is the same age she is: 66. She and her wife live in a condominium close to the Thorncliffe Park apartment where McArthur lived “and probably shopped at the same stores,” she said before the service.

“I am just sickened and saddened at the same time,” she said.

McArthur has been charged with the murders of Andrew Kinsman, 47, Selim Esen, 24, Majeed Kayhan, 58, Soroush Mahmudi, 50, and Dean Lisowick, 47.

Calvin Mullin attended the service in memory of his friend, Kinsman.

“It’s very difficult,” he said. “It’s my private memorial for him, I guess. We just don’t know what’s going to happen.”