Second Baptist Church, in southwest Houston, is preparing to open its worship center for the first time since Hurricane Ike.
The hurricane ripped the copper covering off the giant dome, which allowed water to pour into the sanctuary.
"This was a rain forest. Literally, the stained glass windows here was full of water. We were afraid it was going to totally come down," said Senior Pastor Ed Young.
On the first Sunday after Ike, the service was held on the football field.
Since the storm, the worship center has been under construction. The congregation has met in a chapel and in church gyms.
Now the worship center nears completion.
Young said, "I'm excited. I really am. It's been a long time. It's been a tough experience for all of our church to go through all the logistical things we've gone through. But I think everyone's excited about what's going to happen and the reopening of the worship center."
The project costs more than $14 million. The church hopes insurance covers most of it. It includes a newly-covered copper dome and room for 6,000.
The worship center will open the weekend of Sept. 12.
