The Rev. Evan McClanahan looks at the charred remains of the church on Oct. 10, 2011. "I'm thankful that firefighters got here as quick as they did," McClanahan said then.

The Rev. Evan McClanahan looks at the charred remains of the church on Oct. 10, 2011. "I'm thankful that firefighters got here as quick as they did," McClanahan said then.

Photo: Cody Duty

The Rev. Evan McClanahan looks at the charred remains of the church... Photo-1660892.59334 - Houston Chronicle

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The congregation gathers in 1927. The historic-landmark Midtown church, at 1311 Holman, is First Evangelical’s third home in Houston. It was designed by architect Joseph Northrup Jr., who came to Houston to work on the new Rice Institute.

The congregation gathers in 1927. The historic-landmark Midtown church, at 1311 Holman, is First Evangelical’s third home in Houston. It was designed by architect Joseph Northrup Jr., who came to Houston to ... more

The Rev. Evan McClanahan will ceremonially lead First Evangelical Lutheran’s congregation back into its sanctuary, through a pair of brand-new wooden front doors. The building has been closed since a 2011 fire. less

The Rev. Evan McClanahan will ceremonially lead First Evangelical Lutheran’s congregation back into its sanctuary, through a pair of brand-new wooden front doors. The building has been closed since a 2011 ... more

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

The Rev. Evan McClanahan will ceremonially lead First Evangelical... Photo-4394041.59334 - Houston Chronicle

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.59334 - Houston Chronicle

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The church had been on the brink of disbanding only a decade before, and even after a period of rebirth, was still tiny: Only around 70 members attended on an average Sunday. But the fire damage didn’t faze the little congregation. “We’re committed as a congregation to restore it,” McClanahan said then. • More: Church has much to celebrate less

The church had been on the brink of disbanding only a decade before, and even after a period of rebirth, was still tiny: Only around 70 members attended on an average Sunday. But the fire damage didn’t faze ... more

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

The church had been on the brink of disbanding only a decade... Photo-4394042.59334 - Houston Chronicle

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Except for a $1,000 deductible, insurance entirely covered restoration after the fire — roughly $2 million. “Everything has been repainted, retiled, refinished,” says McClanahan. “Everything up to the 44-foot apex of the ceiling.” less

Except for a $1,000 deductible, insurance entirely covered restoration after the fire — roughly $2 million. “Everything has been repainted, retiled, refinished,” says McClanahan. “Everything up to the ... more

Limestone imported from Israel, meticulously installed by Cangelosi Marble and Granite, replaced smoke-damaged faux stone tile backed with asbestos. The faux stone was original to the building. • More: Church has much to celebrate less

Limestone imported from Israel, meticulously installed by Cangelosi Marble and Granite, replaced smoke-damaged faux stone tile backed with asbestos. The faux stone was original to the building. • More: Church ... more

Congregation member Damon Capps prepares barbecue for the church’s weekly Jesus 101 lunches in an effort to lure students from Houston Community College across the street. The congregation also shares its church complex with a variety of compatible congregations: Missio Dei Anglicans; Mosaic, a ministry to the homeless; and Ethiopian-immigrant Lutherans, whose hymns in the Oromo language last 15 minutes apiece. less

Congregation member Damon Capps prepares barbecue for the church’s weekly Jesus 101 lunches in an effort to lure students from Houston Community College across the street. The congregation also shares its ... more

An electrical fire struck the church’s sanctuary on October 10, 2011. The blaze, hot enough to melt plastic, nearly reached the temperature at which wood combusts. Had firefighters arrived much later, the church could easily have burned to the ground. • More: Church has much to celebrate less

An electrical fire struck the church’s sanctuary on October 10, 2011. The blaze, hot enough to melt plastic, nearly reached the temperature at which wood combusts. Had firefighters arrived much later, the ... more

The Rev. Evan McClanahan inspects the burned church in 2011. “If I have any advice for pastors,” says McClanahan, “it’s to make sure you have good fire insurance. And I’m not just talking about Hell.” • More: Church has much to celebrate

The Rev. Evan McClanahan inspects the burned church in 2011. “If I have any advice for pastors,” says McClanahan, “it’s to make sure you have good fire insurance. And I’m not just talking about ... more