More than five months after a fire ravaged through Saint Thomas United Baptist Church in North Preston, the church is ready to open its doors once again.
The church is hosting a number of events this weekend to mark their grand reopening celebrations after what Reverend Wallace Smith described as a lifetime of waiting.
“It’s like home,” said Rev. Wallace Smith.
“Restoration has taken place, so we’re ready to go back and take whatever we were doing before to another level.”
READ MORE: North Preston community unites in faith following church fire
Smith said the church ultimately suffered close to $500,000 worth of damages, adding that while insurance did cover the majority of the costs, other churches and individuals in the community stepped up to help them get back on their feet.
“The facilities are just beautiful. The equipment in there now is better than we had before, furniture is better, and of course, the main sanctuary is just totally awesome,” he said.
The church has been a staple in the community for more than 150 years. Following the fire, much of the congregation was forced to move across the street to the North Preston Community Centre.
They were able to return to the church for the first time on Aug. 13.
READ MORE: Fire-ravaged North Preston church ‘centre of our life,’ community says
“It just felt like I was away so long,” said Myrna Loy Provo, who has attended Saint Thomas United Baptist Church since she was a little girl.
“The church is part of me. I grew up in that church. And when I looked up and seen the church burn, my heart was broken.”
The grand opening celebrations included a concert on Friday, followed by a BBQ and drive-in movie on Saturday.
Church services featuring the Hallelujah Praise Choir are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10.