Joy abounded at Allen Temple AME Church, Somerset on Sunday morning when the congregation returned to worshipping in the historic edifice for the first time since its roof was damaged during the 113 mph Hurricane Gonzalo.

While the repairs were under way, the congregation worshipped in the nearby Youth Centre.

Spirited preaching, singing and praise marked the return to the Temple to such an extent that yours truly, a life-long worshipper at Allen, was beginning to feel the roof may well have been raised again!

The Rev. Howard Dill, pastor since 2010 with his wife, Rev. Dr. Emilygail Dill, occupied the refurbished pulpit.

Backing them was Gospel Choir, leading the singing of the song of celebration, My God is Awesome. The refreshed writing on the western wall of the edifice, Hitherto The Lord Has Helped Us, had more pertinency than ever.

Allen Temple may well be the most hurricane-prone building in the country. It was sixth of the eight AME churches in Bermuda in the 1870s, with prominent Somerset ressident Charles Roach Ratteray being foremost in the leadership.

Features written by yours truly on Roach Ratteray that can be researched in the Government archives may prove to be a great inspiration for a Christian walk.

For a time the Allen Temple congregation worshipped on Ely’s Harbour hillside overlooking the west coast. A wooden structure that had been erected for worship was totally destroyed by a hurricane in 1899. Hurricanes then were not known by names as they are now.

Pastor Dill commended members who through their own efforts had saved the church thousands of dollars in not having to employ the skills and services of professional contractors for the refurbishing.

The result was bright and beautiful.

His sermon for the day was titled In the Hands of Amatuers, based on Mark 1, verses 14-20, relating how Christ had called on amateurs to be his disciples; and how He specialised in teaching ready respondents to be fishers of man in kingdom building.