Updated: 11:43 AM EST Mar 10, 2021 Troy Frisby Digital Content Producer A church in Savannah, Georgia, recognized the marriages of same-sex couples for the first time ever.Catherine Gilbert and Sandra Golden were among more than 30 couples involved in the virtual celebration, which honored the unions of LGBTQ and straight couples whose marriages had previously gone unrecognized."This one thing was missing for the gay and lesbian community, and to be able to now say we can participate in every celebration from birth to death, including marriage, is really significant for those of us who choose to be in a married relationship," said Gilbert, who has been with Golden for 17 years.The Rev. Billy Hester, head minister at Asbury, explained that the online event was a "27-year dream" for him and others affiliated with the church.Before splitting from the United Methodist Church, Asbury couldn't officially recognize same-sex marriages. So in 2016, they stopped hosting marriage ceremonies altogether.Now circumstances are different."We've separated from the denomination, and we're wanting to celebrate all of the couples, LGBT people and straight people, who could not be married in their sanctuary," he said.Stitch brings you heartwarming stories from a community just like yours. It celebrates our hometown heroes and is inspired by communities, revitalized. Stitch is committed to honoring our history, celebrating our potential and highlighting the tales that bring us together. Every day, we are stitching together the American story.Want more stories like these? Follow Stitch on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.