One year ago, they were worshipping in the midst of devastation; New London church remembers tornado

NEW LONDON (WITI) -- A New London church was severely damaged by a tornado one year ago. Church members gathered on Thursday, August 7th to reflect on the past year.

"It has been an amazing journey we've been on," Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor Bill Sutlief said.

As he did one year ago, Pastor Sutlief gathered his faithful once again in the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday.

"A year ago we were outside worshipping in the parking lot with the devastation as our back drop. Tonight, we're outside up closer to the building having a chance to worship with the newness of the building as our backdrop," Pastor Sutlief said.

A year ago a tornado tore through New London and the church.

"I think back to when I got that phone call to come up here on the Wednesday morning around 6:00 a.m. I live four houses down . I was just stunned as I came up and I was just crushed," Sunday school teacher Patty Dyerson said.

Now, the church members say they're filled with joy to see the handwork construction crews and kind hearts in the community have made.

"It was just a blessing to be here a year later," Dyerson said.

"It's exciting in a sense that a year later, we can see all that has been accomplished," Pastor Sutlief said.

Pastor Sutlief says most of the building was salvaged.

The renovations were expected to take more than a year, but the faithful were back in the pews before Easter.

"We experienced a whole new sense of Easter," Pastor Sutlief said.

Pastor Sutlief says the whole process has brought his church community closer, as they've learned to persevere.

"I have a whole new perspective on God walking with us through the midst of life and all that life can throw at us," Pastor Sutlief said.

Church members now believe even in the middle of a disaster, they were never alone.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Trinity Lutheran Church in New London.