BONNERS FERRY — On Saturday, Sept. 9, the Little White Church opened its doors to the public for the first time in approximately 20 years. The community showed up, from newcomers to old timers, to welcome the church back and listen to the story of its resurrection.

There were blue skies for the first time in days. The pervasive smoke from wildfires that had choked the county had dissipated like a foggy memory. In addition to the food provided, people came in lines, bringing homemade side dishes.

Antique tractors lines the street outside the church, adding to the ambiance of stepping back into time, as guests mingled, shared memories, and lounged outside in the dappled shade.

People then gathered in the church, filling the pews and overflowing out the front door, to listen to Larry Hall tell the story of the Little White Churches transformation, naming and thanking the individuals who had the biggest impact on the project.

“Anyway, that’s pretty much how it all came about,” said Hall at the end of his speech. “Now the church is standing halfway straight, halfway square. We found when we put this cedar on that there is nothing straight, nothing plumb, and nothing level, but at 114 years old, how would you look?”

After the laughter and applause that echoed inside the cedar lined church, subsided, Hall said simply, “Let’s eat.” And with that, the Little White Church had returned.