Lake Region—On Jan. 25, 2005, the Conant Gardens Church in Detroit, Mich., was gutted by a two-alarm fire. Many members came to the church to see what they could do to salvage precious items from the ruins. The devastating news of the fire was carried on all the local TV stations. Churches in the area opened their doors to the displaced members and provided places where they could continue to worship while they made plans to rebuild.

The building committee discovered the concrete block walls were still in excellent condition, and there would be no need to demolish the original structure. Architects Steve Erickgon and Glen Roper were hired to draw new plans, and the Signal Construction Company was hired to do the necessary construction.

On Sept. 2, 2006, seventeen months after the fire, the renovations were complete, and the congregation walked into their new church home. They gave glory to God and His blessings, which brought them back to their church home. Their renovated church began its official worship services on Sept. 9, 2006, when Jerome Davis, Lake Region Conference president, led the congregation back into the church behind the Pathfinder Drum Corps. He spoke to an overflowing sanctuary, and all were blessed by the Hands of Praise musical group from the City Temple Church.

“Coming Home” Sabbath ended with an evening gospel concert featuring local church artists. Garth Gabriel, Conant Gardens Church pastor, and the Conant Gardens members praise God for His blessings and their new and beautiful church home.

Matilda Martin, Conant Gardens Church communication leader, with Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent