Almost immediately after a fire destroyed Mitchell River Primitive Baptist Church -- leaving little more than concrete steps leading to an outline of ashes -- the tiny congregation vowed to rebuild.
They've made progress in the more than 1½ years since an arsonist torched the church.
A foundation is in place. Earlier this month, a volunteer work crew raised the walls. They hope to put the roof up soon.
There are 12 members who belong to the country church, which has met in the Surry County community of Devotion since 1820. Five of the members joined in the year after the church burned.
For years, the members of Mitchell River Primitive Baptist have worshipped at other churches, but have come together at their home church on the fourth Saturday and Sunday of each month.
When it's time for their home church meetings now, they worship in the living room of longtime church clerk Elizabeth Southard, 87. She's looking forward to going back to the church beside the river.
"We all agreed we wanted it built back," Southard said. "I told them if we have to build a little at a time, we can wait till we get more money. We're paying as we go."
They've spent more than $30,000 so far. Once the roof goes up, they'll have pretty much exhausted their money.
There was no insurance on the small clapboard building, which was 20 feet by 30 feet. It was built in 1930, and had no electricity or running water. There were no bathrooms, except for the outhouse.
The church is being rebuilt to modern building codes, as required, which means it will have running water, indoor plumbing and lighted exit signs.
"I told them to make it as plain as they can make it," Southard said. "It'll look like Mitchell River (church)."
The foundation is much higher than the previous one, to protect it from floods.
The church survived a flood in 1940, when waters lapped under it.
It burned to the ground on Oct. 13, 2007, in a fire authorities say was set by an arsonist who has yet to be caught.
Most of the members are on fixed incomes, and it's been a long struggle to raise enough money to make it this far.
People have responded with donations large and small.
A group from First Baptist Church in Stanleyville has donated labor to raise the walls and do other construction.
Edsol Carter said that the Stanleyville church has a disaster-relief team and that working on the Mitchell River church has helped them practice skills.
"The Lord led me to call them and tell them we would help them out," Carter said. "We plan to keep doing that until we get them a pretty good way down the road."
Southard said they plan to have a big celebration when the church is finished.
■ Monte Mitchell can be reached in Wilkesboro at 336-667-5691 or at mmitchell@wsjournal.com.
■ Donations can be made to Mitchell River Primitive Baptist Church and mailed in care of the church clerk to 191 Corbet Cockerham Road, Dobson, NC 27017.
■ Anyone with any information about the fire that destroyed the church may call the Surry County Sheriff's Office at 336-401-8900 or the Surry County Fire Marshal's Office at 336-783-9000.
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