Newly-restored light to shine at historic church

ATLANTA - The first phase of a $1.8 million restoration of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church officially ends Friday with the lighting of the church&#39;s newly restored blue neon sign. <br> <br> It is fitting that Jethro English is there to flip the switch. <br> <br> English, 88, has been a member of the congregation since 1925. It was at the church that he met his wife, sang in the choir, and learned of the death of co-pastor Martin Luther King Jr. <br> <br> ``It means a lot to me to light the sign,&#39;&#39; said English, who still attends church every Sunday. ``I was there when they laid the cornerstone, so now let the light shine all over the world.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> King was baptized at Ebenezer and would eventually follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who preached there. The church was founded in 1886 and was also known as the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for awhile. <br> <br> The church was not dedicated until 1922 under the leadership of the Rev. A.D. Williams, King&#39;s maternal grandfather. <br> <br> The restoration included repairing the roof, improving the cooling system and shoring up of the church&#39;s foundation. Tours that were halted during the work resume Saturday. <br> <br> The circa 1956 sign has not worked since it was severely damaged by an ice storm in 1990, said Saudia Muwwakkil, a spokeswoman for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Already suffering from 34 years of wear and tear, the sign sat dark for 11 years until it was removed in October. <br> <br> Muwwakkil said the wiring has been reworked, new neon lights have been installed, and the sign has a fresh coat of blue paint. <br> <br> ``By lighting the Ebenezer Baptist Church sign, we will be reminded of the faith, service and commitment that defined Ebenezer&#39;s history,&#39;&#39; said Frank Catroppa, superintendent of the site. ``Those values are seen in Dr. King&#39;s legacy and live on today in the heart of the Atlanta community.&#39;&#39;