Prayers answered, 103-year-old church gets rebuilt

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

DOUGLAS, Okla. -- In May, a 103-year-old church in Garfield County was destroyed by a tornado. After that story aired on national television, calls poured in from all over the world offering help, and now the parishioners' prayers have been answered.

Forty volunteers came out to help rebuild Potter Church over the weekend. The church has received donations from all over the world, including so many offers for pianos they could have opened a store.

Volunteers are building a miracle piece by piece, beam by beam. The Potter Church is making itself a new home.

After a tornado tore through their church in May, phone calls came in from people from as far as Hawaii and even Japan. The church is now completely paid off.

"It's something you never see. I've never seen this before. This many people from all over, I've never seen this before," volunteer Jim Wilkinson said.

For the pastor of 30 years, there was no giving up hope.

"You see the destruction when you're here first, but now you see a new beginning," Pastor Sam Jerome said.

Faith has giving this rural church a fighting chance.

"God has given us an opportunity to build and for that we're thankful," Pastor Jerome said.

Many believe this unforgettable devastation was a blessing in disguise.