Metro Church Closer To Being Complete After Numerous Donations

After years of deterioration, a metro church is now one step close to redemption.

News 9 first aired the story about the Teepee Church more than a year ago. Now with the help of countless donations, the pastor is sharing good news.

News 9's Justin Dougherty went back to the Teepee Friday.

"And I will fill this temple with glory says the Lord of hosts, the silver is mine and the gold is mine says the Lord of hosts. The glory of this ladder temple shall be greater than the former," said Pastor Terry Ward, of the Teepee Church, when reading from his favorite Bible verse.

Whether you're passing by or live in the neighborhood, Pastor Terry Ward knows his Tepee Church has been an eye sore and it was on him to open the door to its salvation.

"To see this building in the shape that it was in I know it bothered them and it bothered me. But there was nothing I could do about it," said Ward.

Until, all the silver and gold came rushing in like the rain through the church's roof.

"Oh, I was just floored," said Ward.

Contractors donated their time, roofers donated their effort, and someone, who remains anonymous, donated $50,000.

All of those efforts, that transformed 20 years of worry for Ward into one solid year of progress.

"Getting it enclosed was a big deal to me it makes this thing possible," said Ward.

While the roof has been redeemed there are still a few holes inside, waiting to be complete.

"We've basically gotten dried in, now if we do things on the inside it won't immediately be destroyed," said Ward.

Ward plans to take things step by step.

Next, the sanctuary floor will be replaced and then the basement will be finished. The basement will be fit to hold a wedding reception.

And don't expect Ward to stop until complete salvation, when this entire temple is greater than the former built nearly some 60 years ago.

“If I don't get this done I assume I'll die trying and that's kind of the way I feel about it," said Ward with a laugh.

Ward said he plans on being around many more years. But to speed up this project, the church plans to create a go fund me page sometime soon.

The name where you can donate is the Hopewell Heritage Foundation.

Donations were made by Jenco Roofing, Pre Construction Services Inc. and Homestead Construction.