Church reopens for Palm Sunday after burglary, arson

SALISBURY, Pa.

A church renovation is complete, and the congregation celebrated its strength after overcoming a burglary and arson that halted construction in December.

It's been a long four months for the Oak Dale Mennonite Church in Salisbury.

The church had a lot to clean up, but said Palm Sunday marked a new beginning, in a new building.

"Wow, we can't believe it's come from this to this. It's an incredible transformation," Pastor Joe Byler said.

Hearing the reaction from the congregation was enough for Pastor Joe Byler.

Sunday marked the first service in the church since vandals broke in in December.

"The contractors told us it would be 4 to 6 months, so we're in about 2 months earlier than we first expected, which was very good," Byler said.

Where the scorched tables and chairs once stood, sits a new row of tables.

The graffiti and profanities written on the walls are now covered up with fresh paint.

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Church reopens for Palm Sunday after burglary, arson