The Rehoboth Church of God in Christ on U.S. 61 in Sibley was rebuilt this summer and will be dedicated tomorrow at noon.

The small congregation of less than 20 took on the work of the demolishing the old church and constructing the new one themselves.

&uot;The old church was deteriorating,&uot; said Dinah Ealey, secretary/treasurer for the church.

A member of the church since 1952, Ealey said the original church was also built by a church member, Joseph Rounds. Even though the congregation is small, Ealey said the ones who are there are hard workers.

&uot;Even in bigger churches, you wind up with the small group who work,&uot; she said.

In rebuilding the church, the congregation kept an annex wing of the old church since the annex was still in good shape.

&uot;It’s a complete new church that we tied onto the annex part of the old church,&uot; said Elder Elijah Lewis, pastor.

Now that the new church is complete, the small congregation is looking to expanding their community outreach.

In addition to regular church services, a senior citizens group meets at the church each Thursday.

&uot;We would like to build a daycare center eventually,&uot; Lewis said.

Amazingly, the old church was demolished, and the new church built within five months, Ealey said.

&uot;They began in April and finished in September,&uot; Ealey said.

Lewis credits the well organized efforts of their contractor for the quick construction schedule.

&uot;Johnny Ray Jackson was our contractor and he did a great job,&uot; Lewis said. &uot;He’s also a district evangelist for our church.&uot;

On Sunday, Lewis expects to have guests for the dedication ceremony from southern Louisiana and Mississippi. Bishop Hollis Musgrove, Bishop of the Church of God in Christ headquartered in Jackson, will officially dedicate the new church building, Lewis said. Throughout this past week, the church has hosted nightly services in celebration of Sunday’s dedication.