HUNTINGDON – The Salvation Army churchgoers came together for a celebration Sunday.
Nearly three years ago, a church on Shadyside Avenue went up in flames -- leaving the building unrecognizable.
Now the Huntingdon County community is coming together to celebrate.
"It makes me feel happy that it's fixed," resident Owen Hess said.
A building rededication was held, to celebrate the walls of a new church that is finally rebuilt.
Residents have seen two fires and years of repairing a church in Huntingdon.
There were tears, laughs, and excitement, but most of all the community says they're just blessed to see this day come to life.
"I cried, it was a, it's a true blessing to know that three years in the waiting,” resident Buffy House said. “That we have a beautiful, beautiful church now."
You can hear voices singing throughout the church -- rejoicing in this moment of happiness.
It’s been over two years since the church at the Salvation Army caught fire.
"It feels really good because it’s taken us 30 months since the fire to actually get the building back up and running, which is a long time," Salvation Army Divisional Commander Maj. Deborah Sedlar said.
Now things are finally back together -- and the community is more than excited.
"It was very emotional, but it's been a real tremendous roller coaster," House said.
"It's great, it’s going to be a great place for God's worship," Hess said.
Many say the church has been more than just a worship center.
"People have a place that they can go to, where they feel safe, where they feel comfortable, where they think that people care about them, and I think that's very important," Sedlar said.
"There’s a lot of families who depend on the Salvation Army at Christmas, Thanksgiving and even on a monthly basis," House said.
The Huntingdon County Worship and Service Center is not only bringing residents back together but it helps set something up for the next generation.
"I'm really excited, I think, for the younger generation,; it'll help them to appreciate it more, because they've seen how the adults stressed and what we went through," House said.
The Salvation Army says this wouldn't be possible without the help of the community.
"The community stepped up and gave more than $20,000," Sedlar said.
The church is officially open now. The community says this is something that future generations will appreciate.
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