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CHICAGO (WLS) — A devastating fire that led to the collapse of a South Side church last Thanksgiving left many members of its congregation feeling disheartened and disappointed.
This Sunday marked a significant milestone with the church’s official relaunch, following months of challenges. Those who remained with the congregation warmly welcomed back anyone willing to return.
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The saying “when one door closes, another opens” rang true for members of Renewal Life Church. On Sunday, they gathered to celebrate their faith and the new opportunities that arose after their previous church building was destroyed in a Thanksgiving Day blaze.
Georgia Lindsay, a dedicated church member, expressed her relief and joy, saying, “It feels like home now. We’ve weathered the storms of uncertainty about where we would end up. From having nothing and being unsure of our future, we’ve found our way back.”
It was just under three months ago when the tight-knit congregation witnessed their church at 59th and Emerald in Englewood succumb to fire.
Rebuilding the original church was not feasible, so Pastor Je’rico Brown sought a new sanctuary for his congregation. Their search concluded on the third floor of an unassuming building in South Shore.
“The first thought was, ‘Do we keep going? Is this our breaking point?’” Brown said.
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It was Pastor Brown’s grandmother, who sadly passed away just a few weeks ago, who provided the inspiration to go on. And while Renewal Life Church has been holding services there since early January, between his grandmother’s loss and that of another longtime member, it wasn’t until now that holding an official relaunch felt appropriate.
“We lost them back to back,” Brown said, “This might be the first Sunday when nobody is crying, or ‘Aww this is heavy,’ so this one is special.”
Sunday’s celebration was also meant as a homecoming of sorts for those who left in the aftermath of the fire, decimating the church’s congregation.
“Just to let them know, like, ‘You may have lost hope, but we’re here to regain it,’” church member Chanelle Winters said. “So whenever you’re ready to come back, the doors are open. We’re here, and let’s keep it going.”
It is the church’s new home for now. The pastor said he hopes it will be their last move, at least for a while.
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