Going to church and watching the sermon on television may seem impersonal, but to the parishioners of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, it is just another sign symbolizing the rebuilding of their home and spirit.

A fire caused by an electrical problem in the attic destroyed St. Paul's, 250 E. College Ave., in November 1987.

"I saw my church burn. It was awful," said spokesman Scott Healy.

Reflecting on the past 14 months, he said, "The rebuilding was a wonderful experience to go through, and I would have never said that in November.

"A building is just a building. That tragedy has brought us together," he said.

Since the fire, St. Paul's has been holding its Sunday services at the Wesley Foundation, 256 E. College Ave. Rev. John Stamm, the pastor, conducts the actual sermon on the upper level, while parishioners below watch on a big-screen television, he said.

"We have gone from two services, which were held in the regular church, to three services," he said.

But while the introduction of electronic technology has surprised some worshippers, it has not deterred their enthusiasm.

"I prefer using the upstairs, but you have to adapt," said Mary Battershell (sophomore-physics), a St. Paul's member, expressing what seemed to be a consensus among churchgoers.

"It's a little harder to sing down here, but the service comes through very well," said Elmer Etters, a one-year member of St. Paul's. "They have done a real fine job of trying to provide for us a place to meet."

In his sermon last Sunday, Rev. Stamm said that St. Paul's community is different from other Methodist churches in Central Pennsylvania.

"In many smaller communities, even 15-20 miles from here, the vast majority of people have grown up there," the Reverend said. "The . . . people here have come from somewhere else and will go somewhere else. At this particular time, in the aftermath of the fire, that has not had any significant effect. Different backgrounds brought different insights."

The new church, slated at a cost of under $3.1 million, should be completed by the spring of 1990 and will include a social room, a gym, a kitchen and bathroom facilities, Healy said.

Hughes-Crawford Company, Inc., of Altoona is currently completing the foundation system for the new church, said Lou Geschwindner, chairman of the church's engineering and construction committee.

The columns will be set on the foundation after the steel is delivered next Tuesday, he said.

Though Hughes-Crawford is one of three contractors named in a June 1988 negligence suit filed on behalf of St. Paul's by its insurance company, the church itself continues to have faith in the contractor's ability.

"We felt they were a good, reputable company, and would do a good job as in the past," Geschwindner said.

When the church is completed, parishioners will find a new entrance and a change in the seating arrangements. An addition, to be constructed between the sanctuary and the Wesley Foundation, will provide better access to the buildings, he added.

"Seating in the sanctuary will face McAllister Street, and the new entrance will help this," Geschwindner said.

The idea for the rainbow mural, which currently rests on a wooden fence surrounding St. Paul's, evolved from a photograph of the fire. When the water hit the fire, the mist created a rainbow, Healy said.

This rainbow motif has continued in a newsletter, The Rainbow, published to keep the parishioners informed of the rebuilding process, he said.

"It was a real strong move to involve everybody," he said.

And while the fire may have weakened the structure, it has only strengthened the congregation.

"One benefit of the fire was the melting together of our membership," said Wilna Kesler, a 40-year member of St. Paul's.