Parishioners filed into a Bay Ridge church Easter Sunday to mark the rebirth of stained-glass windows that were destroyed in a rare Brooklyn tornado.

The August 8, 2007 twister blew out windows at the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at 6753 Fourth Ave., leaving glass shards on the floor. Many of the panes had been donated half a century ago by families.

The pastor estimated that repairs to the 15-foot-tall window over the sanctuary would cost at least $300,000 alone. Many of the windows were completely repaired by Easter.

The historically Arabic congregation has about 83 official members. Members say they are filled with joy at the sight of the restored windows, making the celebration of the resurrection of Christ especially happy this year.

Several nearby homes and businesses were also damaged in the borough's first tornado in more than a century.

AP wire reports contributed to this story.