The church had shaggy green carpet, and a musty smell to boot, but that didn’t seem to bother the worshippers. That Sunday morning, as my family passed through the glass doors of the old brick building, we were greeted by smiles and gospel choruses. The foyer bustled with people coming and going between services — each making their way from the engraved wooden pews to their cars outside, but not without hugging a friend and sharing a story or two.