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New York community rebuilding church in time for Christmas

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    Douglas Kennedy reports from Staten Island

  • Duration 2:23
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To an inspiring Christmas story emerging from the destruction of super storm sandy Douglas -- here.

That today how you doing Douglas good morning you have -- you know hurricane sandy destroyed lives and homes on the East Coast but it could not destroyed the Christmas spirit.

At this church on Staten Island.

For years the oasis Christian center has been a gathering place for the residents of Midland beach.

On Staten Island.

We -- very strong knit community here and the church has been the center of the community for years yes since we -- -- the church eight years ago.

-- -- -- our best to reach our community with God's love through food pantry and children's programs youth programs as well as our Sunday service.

Then in October hurricane sandy hit.

Shocking lifetime residents like a waste his pastor Tim Macintosh.

We've never expected -- hurricane like this here in new York and the devastation was just absolutely incredible.

In fact men -- -- was one of the hardest hit areas in the country.

Tragically nine residents of Midland beach lost their lives and dozens of families here still remain homeless.

McEntire size church the very next day and he says he didn't think it would ever opened its doors again.

Much less for Christmas mass.

Describe the damage it was after the devastation.

The church was devastated about the lower level the church -- totally underwater everything down and destroyed.

Destruction and tragedy MacIntyre says quickly turned -- hope.

When he began to get calls from community members volunteering to rebuild.

Contractors like Carmen I am a tally.

Basic given my time is there any kind I can help anybody needs anything in and -- -- -- -- love to do that.

MacIntyre says the church has once again become a community oasis.

Bringing people -- need to gather with love and support you're gonna be able to celebrate Christmas here yes to all of -- -- plan.

And what does that mean to you it means a whole lot after all we've been through the suffering and the hard work to get us back to this place.

We are looking forward to a very -- Looking forward he says so the most meaningful Christmas -- -- he has ever celebrated while.

Well done and --

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