Savannah congregation returns to Wesley Monumental after 15-month ceiling repair

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church held a Sunday service in its sanctuary for the first time in 15 months after the ceiling collapsed last July.

The United Methodist church has more than 150 years of history in Taylor Square. Camille O’Neill, a member for 70 years, has worshipped there among friends and family.

Congregation worshipped elsewhere during repairs

For the past 15 months, the congregation held services inside Congregation Mickve Israel while repairs were made following the ceiling collapse.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church finds sanctuary at Congregation Mickve Israel while repairs continue

“It’s God’s grace that we’re back we are so thankful to Mickve Israel for helping us to have the 11 o’clock service, but my goodness, it’s nothing like being back home,” O’Neill said.

Senior Pastor Ben Martin led the congregation’s efforts at Mickve Israel during the period. Martin said it usually takes him a couple of weeks to write a sermon.

“This one I’ve been thinking about for months,” Martin said.

Sermon focused on theme of home

Sunday’s sermon addressed what home means and how it feels to return.

“Home is really with God. Home is in God,” Martin said during the sermon.

Heather Whitaker, a choir and congregation member, said she took away a message about homesickness.

“I took away the homesickness. Even when you’re not in your physical place, you’re not in your physical home you have a yearning to go home, and that God is calling you always to come home,” Whitaker said.

The full choir and orchestra also returned for the service.

“Our music is outstanding every Sunday, but, it was piled on for the beauty of getting back home today,” O’Neill said.

Community support aided reopening

Martin said the church would not have reopened Sunday without help from churchgoers and non-churchgoers. SCAD allowed members to use the Lucas Theater on Easter, and strangers donated money toward the repairs.

Martin said the past 15 months showed the heart of Savannah.

“To see people have a heart for what we were going through even though it might not have been their church was really meaningful to us, and we find ourselves deeply grateful and owe a debt of gratitude to this community,” Martin said.

The newly renovated ceiling cost around $2 million.