HALTOM CITY — The congregation at Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Haltom City has been worship ping in a small trailer for the last two-and-a half-years.
The church vowed to rebuild its sanctuary after a tornado destroyed it in April 2007, and finally it has.
Just a few finishing touches are needed before the church opens a week before Thanksgiving.
"It feels great! It feels great!" exclaimed church member Bennie Ruth Dickens. "Brenda and I just come in here, we just hug and cry!"
These are very different tears from the ones shed in 2007, when the twister decimated the church building, leaving only one of the four brick walls standing.
"It was a heartache," Dickens said. "It was really a heartache to see the church destroyed like that."
Just a few items were salvaged from the rubble: The Christian flag; communion and prayer tables; and the church's baby grand piano.
"It's sounds like new — it's great," Dickens said.
They may not have been able to salvage the chandeliers, but they now have a much larger church — more than 3,000 square feet. Features include a new fellowship hall, classrooms, and three bathrooms.
"That's enough to be excited about, the bathrooms," Dickens said. "Because we had a bathroom that only one person could go in at a time. So now, that's a lot different."
Much of renovation was donated — the electrical wiring, doors, carpet and tile. Even the architects and project managers volunteered their time.
"We have lot to be thankful for," said Dickens, "and we are."
The first worship service in the new sanctuary is scheduled for 11 a.m. this Sunday, with a dedication at 3 p.m.
E-mail dmiles@wfaa.com
