Three years after a devastating fire ripped through a Palm Harbor Greek Orthodox Church, parishioners have a reason to celebrate.

  • Palm Harbor church to break ground on new building
  • Original building destroyed in 2014 fire
  • Church has been raising funds  

On Monday, members of the Saint Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox church will break ground on a brand-new basilica-style church.

The original building was destroyed in an electrical fire in 2014.

"I was devastated," said Paula Bamis. "I was in pharmacy school in South Carolina and I couldn't talk to anyone I couldn't come home and be with my fellow parishioners to comfort each other and I was at a loss."

Since then, the members have been congregating at an old restaurant inside a nearby strip mall.

"This is where we have been blessed to be able to hold our services. It is a little unique we do have a very different set up," Bamis said.

"We have the relics of the saints, Raphael, Nicolas and Irene," said Father Panteleimon Maillis. "We're the only church in the United States that has those relics. We were given them by the arch bishop of Greece and they were in the church."

The relics survived the fire without any damage. Parishioners called it a miracle that’s been a motivation to re-build and come back stronger than ever. On top of their countless prayers, the community has been fundraising and is now ready to break ground on the 65 feet tall basilica-style church.

Maillis said it’s all thanks to the dedication and strong faith from church members who have become family.

"The people here are some of the finest Christian human beings I've ever met in my life. Their dedication to this church to building this church to making sure that we come together and stay together as a community. It's very rare," Maillis said.

On Saturday, the congregation hosted a Greek food and music festival to help raise money for church funds.

They will break ground on Monday and the construction should take 18 months to complete.

To donate, visit the church's Go Fund Me page.