Steven Shields was arrested after driving a car into a Catholic Church and setting it on fire in Ocala, Florida: Marion County Sheriff's Office

A Florida man was arrested on Saturday after crashing his car into a Catholic church and then setting the building on fire with parishioners still inside, officials said.

The Marion County Sheriff’s office said that Steven Shields deliberately drove his vehicle through the doors of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala at 7.30am as the congregation prepared for Mass.

He then got out of the car, poured gasoline around the foyer and set it on fire, before driving off.

Deputy Josue Gonzalez spotted Mr Shields’ vehicle and gave chase, ramming it with his patrol car, according to a statement by the sheriff’s office.

There were no injuries reported at the church and the fire was extinguished by Marion County firefighters, though there was extensive damage to the building.

Mr Shields has been charged with attempted second-degree murder; arson to a structure of a structure believed to be occupied; burglary of an occupied structure using a motor vehicle; and felony fleeing.