Missouri boy's dream church built in memory of him

LATHROP — Mackintyre McDill-Garton preached his first sermon to other children at his church when he was only 6 years old.

And he dreamed of building a church on a hill overlooking his grandparent's land in western Missouri.

Before Mackintyre died in September 2008 at the age of 9 from a brain aneurysm, he had squirreled away $1,038 from birthday gifts for the project.

The Kansas City Star reported that his dream was realized over the weekend as the church was dedicated.

Located on land between Lathrop, Holt and Plattsburg, it's 36 feet by 24 feet and white with a "Dairy Queen red" roof. Mackintyre had decided the church should look like a bird house he had bought at a church auction.

A few hours after the dedication, a young couple married there.

His grandmother Nancy McDill says, "His wish came true."