Five years ago this month, fire destroyed the sanctuary at the Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church in Lonsdale, but only in the last few months, the small congregation finally returned to their original place of worship.
"We were just getting ready to have our closing prayer service when all of it happened," said Raymond Webber, recalling the August 23, 2007 day as if it was yesterday.
A faulty exhaust fan sparked the blaze that left the 25-person congregation scrambling for a new place of worship.
However, Tennessee Avenue's Baptist Church pastor Johnny Gray said neighboring places of worship offered their space.
"It was one week's stay (that turned into) a complete year, and it didn't cost us anything," Pastor Gray said.
Afterwards, the church moved into their educational building, located behind the sanctuary. It didn't suffer as much damage, and became the place for Sunday and Wednesday services for years.
"They'll pray with you, and talk to God with you, and stay with you, and lead you through the fire... sort of speak," Pastor Gray added.
While insurance covered the costs of rebuilding the sanctuary, the economy forced slower than expected construction.
However, ultimately that doesn't matter to Raymond Webber. He said he's simply glad to return to the place he's worshiped for more than 40 years with the people he calls "family."
"When you love the people you're with, you'll hang in there with them," Webber smiled.