The building was completely rewired, the sanctuary, and all upper level rooms were totally remodeled except for the little chapel which was left with only a new ceiling.  

           Our first worship service in the sanctuary was held in February 1999, from this first meeting until Easter 1999 we continued to rededicate everything possible.  We started with areas away from the sanctuary, fellowship hall, education area, etc.  Finally in the month of March we had members of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Oklahoma come and rededicate the corner stone that the lodge had originally set in November of 1919.  It was a great meeting with many of the grand lodge officers present as well as member of the local blue lodge.  Then the Regional Minister for Oklahoma, Rev. Tom Jewell, joined us for a worship service to rededicate our entire building.  Finally on Easter we rededicate the most important part of First Christian Church, Pawnee -- its members.

           Although many people have their own idea as to whom set the fire, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Alcohol, Firearm and Tobacco Agency of the United States government, this congregation hold no ill feelings towards the person.  Sure it had been a long 30 months and we had to do many activities to rebuild and raise money, but it brought us closer together.

           One blessing which we had not expected came after our minister sent out a Christmas letter in 1998 with a list of items needed for the new building.  The list included small items like paper clips and one big item $190,000 to make sure that we would enter the building without debt.

           One of our members, Jim Wilkerson, came to our minister and told how his sister Dorothy was good friends with a former member of the congregation, Janey Livergood Bidell.  Mrs. Bidell might be in a position to help in some way.  Unknown to all of us, Janey was in poor health and after a couple of brief conversations with our minister we learned that she died.  Shortly afterwards we received the first of several checks from her trust.  As of July 2003 the amounts of these gifts totalled nearly $190,000.  Thanks to the efforts of all the members and the special blessing of Janey Livergood Bidell, we were back in the building without debt.

Since returning to the building we have had the opportunity to purchase the round tables which were voted to purchase the night of the fire, we have held many meetings, and have gone about doing our Lord's business, never forgetting the blessing which came from the fire and from our own lives.

Recently we celebrated the sixth anniversary of the fire with a board meeting chaired by Dr. Henry whom was the chair at the time of the fire, we dedicated our walk of honor which is a special sidewalk with the names of many people.  The blocks were originally meant to raise funds to pay for the rebuilding, but later became a place of honor.  We also held and ice cream social to remember the origianl gathering after the fire to discuss rebuiding plans.

A lot has happened since the fire, but First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is here to stay and be a witness of the goodness and blessing of God, to whom we love and cherish.