UTICA, N.Y. -- The sounds of worship have been held within the Tabernacle Baptist Church for more than a century.
"This congregation has been a part of this city now for 197 years," said Tabernacle Baptist Church Pastor Mark S. Caruana.
Sunday, the church celebrated the 150th anniversary of its building.
"Over the last 200 years it's changed dramatically," said Caruana. "In the last 15 years, we've welcomed refugees from Burma."
"A lot of the Karen people come here, and we have like different churches too. I think if all of us come here, we don't have no room," said Khinso Moe, a refugee.
Hundreds of Karen refugees attend the church and enjoy the community.
"It's warm and very grateful we are here," Khinso Moe said.
"It teaches me a lot of important life lessons like how they struggled when they were back in Burma," Khinso's son, Thomas Moe, said. "It helps me feel blessed that I'm here."
The church has about 100 people in its youth ministry.
A group of them sold t-shirts for the 150th anniversary celebration and ended up raising about $5,000.
The organizer said she loves being a part of the church.
"It feels amazing, definitely, because I'm part of this congregation," said church member Olive San. "Everybody is friendly, especially our American friends who welcomes the Karen community to this church."
For information about the Tabernacle Baptist Church and its service times, visit their website.