SALEM, W.Va. (WDTV/WTAP) – A Salem church has restored an 1890s house to house women in recovery.

Friday morning, Horizons Church in Salem opened its first shelter as part of its Recovery Alive program.

Originally built in 1894, the house was dilapidated and condemned.

Christine Sturtevant, head of the church’s women’s ministry, said where they saw a light shining through the walls, they also saw hope in providing women with a safe and comfortable place to recover from addiction.

“Many of the ladies who will most likely live here have lost everything, but God gives second chances, so God will be first in this program and we are very excited to be able to love the ladies who will live in this house and could see the restoration in their lives, just like the restoration in this house,” Sturtevant said.

The sober dormitory will support up to six women.

Pastor Mike Allen said it is more than a shelter and rehabilitation program. The goal is to help these women become part of a community.

“They need a safe place to go, and a lot of times, it’s not at home, not in their old environment, especially not around old friends,” Allen said. “It gives them the opportunity to live their lives in a clean way and get a foothold. They work, they look for a job in the community, they support themselves, and then eventually they’ll leave their home and then they’ll go back into society and be fruitful.”

Allen said he is grateful for all the community support that made this possible.

The inspiration for the house is from a recovery book called Restoring Victoria. However, Sturtevant said her cousin’s journey with recovery made this mission that much more personal.

“She is my reason for this house,” Sturtevant said. “I want her to have a place where she can stay that’s safe and warm and have the opportunity for people to love her because that’s what she deserves. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

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