On April 1, 2022, East Berlin Methodist Church posted the message "Pray for our little church" on social media, along with several photos of firefighters battling an early morning blaze at the house of worship. Fire destroyed part of the roof, and led to the church building being gutted.

Congregants of “The Little Church with a Big Heart,” while devastated, persevered. And they stuck together.

Now, nearly a year after the fire, the process of rebuilding East Berlin Methodist Church has begun. On Sunday, a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the job was held at the Main Street church.

Announcing the positive news on social media, East Berlin Methodist Church said, “We are grateful for the prayers and well wishes from our community.”

According to its website, East Berlin Methodist Church can trace its roots in the community back to 1864 “when a group of people were gathered as the East Berlin Methodist Episcopal Church.”

The group’s first church building was completed in 1876, followed by the current structure in 1896.

”Ever since its beginning, several generations of families were baptized, married and grew in faith of Christ here at EBUMC,” the church website states.

Those wishing to support the rebuilding of East Berlin Methodist Church can send donations to: EBMC, P.O. Box 265, East Berlin, CT 06023.