Monday marks one year since the historic First Presbyterian Church of Girard was destroyed by fire.

On Sunday members marked the anniversary, as they worshiped at Lake City Presbyterian, where they have been for the past year.

Church pastor Nicola Vitiello said he believes members are turning a corner on their grief and looking forward to their plans to rebuild.

He said they took time to remember the horrible day, and reflect on the generosity of the community around them over the last year. "We talked today about what it means to be in the final stage of grief and acceptance," Vitiello said, "and how we are now able to live that out and have an excitement about what's to come someday when when the new building is built and also what that will do for the community." 

Though their former church is now demolished, the remaining old bricks are just one of several fund raising plans toward helping to rebuild.

According to the pastor, "The church is participating in Erie Gives day, we'll be selling bricks at Dan Rice Days on the 3rd, and on August 20, the Gem City Band is doing a benefit concert for the church at 7:00 p.m. at the Girard Boro grounds."

Pastor Vitiello said the community support didn't end after the fire and Sunday proved that. "Today Wayside presbyterian presented a gift to the church.  They collected 70 books with donated money to rebuild the children's library."