RUSKIN, Fla. (WFLA) — A centennial celebration, made even more special for the parishioners at Ruskin Methodist Church, was held as the community continues to recover and rebuild from hurricanes Milton and Helene.

Singing once again fills this church, a testament to how quickly its members rallied to bring this space back to life.

The storm damage is still evident with exposed concrete floors, waterlogged pews and chunks missing out of the walls.

“It’s always an important celebration—100 years, but particularly following the hurricanes, particularly with the building back,” Pastor Tom Emigh said. “We still have a lot of work to go, but people are just happy to be here just happy to be together with each other and celebrating such a history.”

That feeling of unity is critical for Phyllis Elsberry, the church’s longest-running member. At 60 years old, seeing her place of worship demolished left her devastated.

“I think it’s wonderful and I never dreamed that I was the oldest member. I guess God kept me here for a reason,” Elsberry said.

Elsberry said she easily becomes emotional seeing the church follow through with the festivities despite the damage. 

“It hurts, very much. Not only our church family but a lot of the members, I lost everything. But we rebuild, we’ll come back, we’re strong,” Elsberry said.

Pastor Tom agrees that focusing on that sense of gratitude and community is how they’ll overcome any obstacles that may come. 

“We’re here today because 100 years ago somebody cared enough about us to invest in this church, to have this place here for us to worship in, and we want to return that,” Pastor Tom said.

Today’s message of hope was not only the heart of this celebration, but it was also a nod to the future and the next 100 years.