Their prayers have been answered. After waiting nearly 15 months, the parishioners at St. John Vianney Catholic Church have a new interim sanctuary.

The sprawling, white structure stands bright next to the blackened church beside it. The old sanctuary was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of April 16, 2011.

The fire caused more than $6.5 million worth of damage to the sanctuary and other nearby church-owned buildings. Gregory Yusuke Shiga, 34, has been charged with arson in connection with the fire.

But on July 7, the congregation raised their voices in prayer in their new $800,000 home.

“We are really blessed to have this interim church,” said Monsignor Timothy Nichols.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story SANCTUARY.