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From left are Rev. Steven McDonald, Stephen Browning, building committee chairman; Mark Carter from Wilmar Construction; Amelia Salmon, architect for the new church and Jimmy Hibbs, chairperson of the church council. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

First Methodist Church of Vidalia members gathered Tuesday morning where the old church building once stood at 403 N. Oak St. for a groundbreaking. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

First Methodist Church of Vidalia members gathered Tuesday morning at 403 N. Oak St. for a groundbreaking of their new church building. From left are Rev. Steven McDonald, Stephen Browning, building committee chairman; Mark Carter from Wilmar Construction; Amelia Salmon, architect for the new church and Jimmy Hibbs, chairperson of the church council. (Used with permission from Joey Martin | Concordia Sentinel)

Vidalia Fire Department firefighters and fire trucks join First Methodist Church of Vidalia members for the groundbreaking celebration on Tuesday morning.  (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Rev. Steven McDonald examines blueprints for the new church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Blueprints for the new church. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

VIDALIA, La. — The words found in Chapter 61 of Isaiah in the Bible came to mind as First Methodist Church of Vidalia members gathered Tuesday morning on the foundation of where the old church once stood at 403 N. Oak St. for a groundbreaking.

The scripture says, “… a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild … restore the places long devastated; they will renew …”

In July 11, 2021, before daylight on a Sunday morning, the former Vidalia United Methodist Church building burned to the ground.

The building had stood for approximately 60 years and was made mostly of wood and contained a library full of books that turned into kindling.

A building that was once used for only storage was left standing and has since been turned into an office and meeting place for church staff. The faithful congregation, without a building to call home, continued meeting Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. at the Vidalia Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian Church then donated the building to the Methodist church and began using the Ferriday Presbyterian Church instead.

Internal furniture and equipment for the new church were also donated by Magnum United Methodist Church in Shreveport, which closed two years ago, and are currently in storage.

Since it burned, the Methodist church also disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church Conference, as many Methodist churches globally have done over differences in beliefs regarding same-sex marriages and the ordination of openly homosexual clergy.

Church pastor Rev. Steven McDonald said after the groundbreaking that in the time it takes for a child to be conceived and born, an estimated eight to nine months from now, the new building would be finished.

McDonald led a prayer before the groundbreaking, “Almighty and everlasting God, ever exalted and always near, be present with us as we gather here to set apart this ground upon which we stand to the honor and glory of your great name. Let your spirit descend upon your church, which will come together here. Within these walls let your glory dwell,” he said.

He prayed that God’s spirit would go with anyone who gathers there and that their spirits be nurtured between those new walls.

Also holding a shovel on Tuesday during the groundbreaking were Jimmy Hibbs, chairperson of the church council; Amelia Salmon, architect for the new church; Mark Carter from Wilmar Construction, and Stephen Browning, building committee chairman.

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