Congregation Rebuilds Church Destroyed by 2008 Tornado

It was one of the first stories out of Van Buren County after the tornado hit. Two people died in the small town and among the many damages was the South Side Baptist church.
When the storm passed, the congregation gathered at the site and prayed for a fresh start.

A little over a year later, they say their prayers have been answered.

After worship on Sunday, they were able to linger around and fellowship. Something that they say was not possible for the past 14-months in the small schoolhouse they had been using for service.

"We didn't stand around like we're doing right now after fellowship. We like to do that," said chorister Becky Woods.

After losing everything to the tornado, Pastor Stephens says the church of more than 150 members was just happy to have a place to call home.

"It was difficult but we transitioned we persevered through the difficult time knowing that there'd be a day that we will be able to be back in our own facilities," he said.

The church was building a new sanctuary and was about 80 percent done when the storm came through. When all calmed down, church members went to the property to find that everything had been destroyed.

Beyond the structural damage to the buildings, musical instruments, chairs and hymnals were also unusable.

Music director Chris Powell says the faith of church members remained unwavering through the rebuilding period.

"It was pretty devasting to the church both emotionally first but the church hung together," said Powell.

Congregation member Linnea Munch adds "It broke my heart because I had just joined, I'd seen the power of the people and how much this church meant to them and it really made me sad."

It is a remarkable story of faith and hard work. Not only did the church and the community come together to rebuild the property in just months, but help come from all over the country.

"People all across the country have donated money labor, time, repairs, and love. All kinds of support, it's been overwhelming. And now we have this beautiful facility that we never dreamed that we would have. We are so grateful," said Wood.

The building cost just under $2 million. To top off the celebration on Sunday, congregation members learned that all the cost had been taken care of through goodwill and the church owes nothing for the new facility.

And though the new building is much larger than the original was back in 1910, it now sits in the exact same spot as the old.