'We stayed together': Historic church in N.S. restored after lightning strike

Fifteen months after lightning struck the Falmouth Baptist Church, the congregation has been able to return to the building in celebration.

Over 120 people attended the reopening of the church last weekend. Parishioners were able to view the interior of the building that took more than a year to reconstruct.

"They expressed gratitude that the church didn't completely burn down and that we were able to rebuild," said Pastor Gail Whalen-Dunn. "It was just a lot of good, warm feelings from people within the community and within the church family."

Lightning struck the steeple last June, causing the 150-year-old building to catch fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire, but the building had extensive smoke and water damage.

Whalen-Dunn said the steeple had to be replaced. New walls and floors were needed.

Other structural issues were discovered during the rebuilding process and had to be addressed.

It was thought the repairs would take six months at most. While the congregation waited to return, services were held at various places in the area, including a local nursing home.

Gerry Rhyno, the church's deacon, said many valuable lessons have been learned since the fire.

"I think as a church we realized that the building is not important at all and it's the people that are important," Rhyno said.

Repairs cost upwards of $1 million, according to Whalen-Dunn. Insurance has covered the costs.

Parishioners were able to have input on interior elements in the renovation. They made decisions on painting and carpeting.

The 181st anniversary of the church's congregation passed in August when repairs were ongoing. Whalen-Dunn said the church was able to celebrate the anniversary at the reopening, and welcome new people into the congregation since the fire.

"We stayed together, we worked through things, we dealt with feelings and emotions of being out of our building," said Whalen-Dunn.

"There was just such an incredible spirit for that 15 months. It was just so much sweeter when we got back into the building."