By Associated Press
Panola AL – The family of a former college student who pleaded guilty in a string of fires at rural churches was in the congregation when Galilee Baptist Church dedicated a new building to replace the one that was torched in the arson spree.
Kim Cloyd, the mother of one of three men who pleaded guilty in the fires, said it was a humbling experience to be at the rebuilt Galilee Baptist Church on Sunday.
"We have met so many new friends through this who have prayed for us and who have forgiven us," said Cloyd, of Pelham.
The Rev. Bob Little, pastor of Galilee, said he welcomed the family to his church.
"They have come and made atonement," Little said.
Galilee, which has about 50 members, was located at the end of a dirt road. It moved about a mile to the site of the new church, which is in the heart of tiny Panola. The congregation took out construction loans of about $170,000 to go along with donations that have helped pay for the nearly $1 million in building costs.