MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A historic church in Downtown Memphis is literally rising from the ashes. Over the weekend, members of the First United Methodist Church approved a $4.1 million project to build a new sanctuary at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Second Street. “It was an exciting day,” Reverend Andy Rambo told WREG’s Bridget Chapman. “Very emotional for a lot of people.” In 2006, flames consumed the historic 113-year-old building and the sanctuary burned to the ground. “It was a heart-wrenching day, many people talk about being on the curb, being as close as they could get and in tears,” recalled Rev. Rambo. “Just seeing a historic sanctuary their children had been baptized in, many of them had been married in, just a lot of incredible life events had taken place for them in that building so just kind of heartbroken and wondering how to get to the next point.” With very little resources and no sanctuary, the church’s future looked bleak, but its members never gave up. They were able to fix up the main building and fund a new frame for the sanctuary as phase one of their rebuild, which was completed in 2009. “Very quickly, they rallied together and realized that the church, as incredible as the sanctuary was and historic and as iconic as it was for Memphis, that church was the people.” That outlook sustained them through everything and now, years later, they’re looking to raise enough money to finally rebuild the sanctuary. The church received $2 million in donations in 2013 and members are now looking to raise $2.1 million more with the hopes of the sanctuary being open by Christmas. “We are so blessed by the faithfulness of our members and the support of our neighbors,” Rev. Rambo said. “With God’s help, First Methodist will continue to spread the Gospel for the next 190 years.” The Reverend said the $2 million already raised should help them build a functioning shell for the sanctuary, but they need the additional $2.1 million to create the historic, yet warm design they are looking at. The new architectural design incorporates some of the old materials that survived in the fire along with more windows to create a welcoming and modern take on the building. Construction on the new project will hopefully begin next month.