If the walls could talk inside 900 South 3rd Street in Monmouth, Illinois, you would hear music at St. James AME Church.
Each note is emotional for Glenn Brooks, 75. His family first attended services here in 1920.
"On a magnitude of one to 10, it's 11," he said.
There's a different drumbeat just steps away on Friday.
Some 40 volunteers are busy, giving the long-vacant church an extreme makeover.
"This is a great group," said Rob Peirce, a Warren County farmer taking time out from harvest to help. "They all work together. They look to get something done. At the end of the day, you really feel good about it."
It's the latest outreach from Community Cares. Five Monmouth congregations are joining forces to revive this historic church. Its roots date back to 1868. The current nearly 50-year-old sanctuary needs desperate TLC.
"It's just fulfilling," said volunteer Marianne Peirce. "It's nice to know that you can help somebody in need."
With each brushstroke, there's a positive statement. While this is about restoring a church, it's also preserving the past."
"I learned a lot about the church that I didn't know," Marianne continued.
This group finds power with numbers. They're doing a lot in a little time.
Dozens of students from Monmouth College will join the project on Saturday. The group will host an open house at the church on October 12.
When the congregation returns, there will be sweet sentiment and a family salute for Glenn Brooks.
"I'm here on their behalf, and I'm so proud," he said.
It's persuasive percussion and musical magic.
"Makes me realize how blessed I am to be in and of this community," Brooks concluded.
In Monmouth, it's definitely a community that cares.