Pamlico County church reopens three years after Hurricane Irene

WHORTONSVILLE, PAMLICO COUNTY -

It's a day members of the Zion Hill United Church of Christ have been anticipating for three years- the day their church doors reopen.

On Sunday, March 9th, the church will hold their first service after having to shut down in 2011 because of damage from Hurricane Irene. The damage they've fixed so far, according to volunteers, has cost around $40,000.

This day did not come without lots of hard work, time and donations. Two volunteers in the Pamlico County area know that well. Hank and Bettie Williams have invested a great deal of time and effort in rebuilding the historic church, that has been around since the 1800s.

"My part was a little bit of everything," Bettie said. "I helped raise money, I helped get the donations going, I helped get the word out that the church was in need."

Bettie's initiative is what helped the church get new walls, pews, ceiling and carpet. Also a big contributor was her retired contractor husband, Hank. He helped get people from the area in to fix up the problems.

"I am so glad that everything has got done," Hank said. "And I'm so glad that they are getting back in the church."

The way the Williams couple got involved is because of the long life connection Hank has with the church, and the relationships Hank built with people from the community. Hank knew some of the members there since he was a young boy, such as Rufus Greene who has been a member of the church for over 70 years.

"I missed it so much, not being able to come in here on Sundays," Greene said. "Only God knows how my heart really feels."

Another reason why Hank has a personal connection to the church, is because he helped with renovations at the church decades back when he was working for a contractor in the area.

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Pamlico County church reopens three years after Hurricane Irene