Shooter Devin Patrick Kelley walked into the church on Nov. 5, 2017, and opened fire on the crowd during a Sunday morning worship service. The victims ranged in age from 5 to 72 years old.

In an email to CBN News, Pastor Frank Pomeroy stated that the Church decided to "remove the old enclosed facility and replace it with an open-air facility that will have 24/7 access." He said an appointment was needed previously in order to go inside.

"We as a Body decided this was the best way to honor the lives that were lost that fateful day and also the survivors that still have to go by the old facility," he told CBN News. "This will give opportunities of worship and prayer at all times to everyone who desires to pay their respects and honor the martyrs of that fateful day."

According to News 4 in San Antonio, the congregation voted Sunday to raze the sanctuary because it was deemed structurally unsafe. 

"Once you're in there, the beautiful white walls, the white ceiling, the white floor, the white chairs, the names on the chairs of everybody that they lost," said Terrie Smith, the president of the Sutherland Springs Community Association. "The single red rose, the beautiful big cross in the center. It gives you an embrace by everybody."

Smith added, "It's just a beautiful, peaceful place. Small, little church, small little community with a lot of humble people, and humbled angels that we lost."

The church's sanctuary was converted into a memorial and a new church building was built next to it in 2019.

On opening day, Pastor Pomeroy told the crowd they were celebrating God's glory while remembering "those who have paid a price for this incredible facility."

The Church commemorated the victims by reading their names as the church bell rang, and those connected to them stood up in the crowd. Pomeroy's 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle Pomeroy, was among those killed.

The new worship center and memorial room honoring the victims was made possible through millions of dollars in donations from around the world. The facility features enhanced security elements, along with a new church bell tower and an additional prayer space.

Investigators said the attack appeared to stem from a domestic dispute involving Kelley and his mother-in-law, who sometimes attended services at the church but wasn't there the day of the shooting.

Kelley died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after being shot by a neighbor and then fled in a vehicle while being chased by two men who heard gunfire coming from the church.

Some survivors and family members of victims said the former house of worship is a painful reminder of the tragedy that devastated the small town.

The mass shooting is considered the deadliest church shooting in US history. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Her Father Escaped China after Tiananmen Square, Now American Alysa Liu, Wins Women's Skating Gold

USA Women's Hockey Team Sings National Anthem Arm in Arm after Olympic Gold Medal Win: 'The best part'

DC Grandma Who Lost Son to Violent Crime TORCHES Dems, Praises Trump in Powerful Speech: 'I Can Trust Him' [Video]

DC Mayor Declares Emergency, Asks President Trump for Help on Sewage Spill on the Potomac

Tennessee House Passes Bill Challenging Homosexual 'Marriage'

Federal Government Issues Guidance on Prayer in Schools

Pentagon Fires Sicko Male 'Transgender Wolf' Kindergarten Teacher at Fort Bragg after Parent Complaints

Judge Temporarily Blocks Referendum to Redraw Virginia's Congressional Map

US Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs, Core to Trump Economic Agenda

Olympic Bobsledder and Mom of Boys With Special Needs Wins First Gold [Video]

Heroic Bystander Who Stopped RI Trans Shooter's Rampage Speaks Out, Recounts the Rhode Island Tragedy [Video]

'For Every Person the Regime Kills, Thousands Will Rise': Forty Days after January Massacres, Iranians Pour into the Streets, Defying the Government

Gaza 'Board of Peace' to Hold First Meeting as Region Prepares for War

My Students Protesting ICE Cannot Answer One Question on the US Citizenship Exam

Minnesota Pastor Breaks Silence on Don Lemon

FBI Director Patel: We Know Who's Bankrolling Antifa, and We're Coming for Them

ALL Epstein-Related Materials Released; HERE IS the Complete List of 300+ Individuals Mentioned

UK's Former Prince Andrew Arrested over Ties to Jeffrey Epstein

Museum of the Bible to Feature Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit in Capitol Hill Outreach Event

'Federal Fumbles' Report: 5 Revelations; from Trans Animal Experiments to Minnesota Fraud Schemes