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Photos: Go Inside The Tornado Damaged Century Methodist Church
February 21, 2016
Someone joked to the Rev. Janet Lee that a great hymn for this Sunday morning would be the great classic “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”. She didn’t seem amused.
The community has leaned on the Century United Methodist Church for about 114 years. A simple, but beautiful wooden church that’s stood strong on Church Street since just after the turn of the Century. Notably, a couple of years longer, we’re told, than the Baptist church next door.
Now the church building is precariously leaning after last Monday’s tornado lifted it off it’s foundation and shifted the entire building about two feet away. The building, according to a structural engineer, is a total loss and in danger of possible collapse. It will have to be torn down.
Since Monday, church members and volunteers have worked, despite the danger, to remove stained glass windows, pews and other furniture, and chandeliers from the building. Members have former members have stopped by, some posing for pictures on the porch, and reminiscing about the weddings and funerals and special services — the important moments in their lives and the in the lives of their families — that took place in the little wooden church.
Some are quick to point out that Church is the gathering of the Lord’s people, not the physical building. That Century UMC body, for now, will be holding services in a house they own just across the street for the tornado damaged church.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Photos: Go Inside The Tornado Damaged Century Methodist Church”
My prayers and thoughts are with Rev. Janet Lee and the congregation.
I hope that you can rebuild the church and use as much of the 100 year old church
that you are able to do. Awhile ago, I was very fortunate to see this church (on the outside) and thought it was one of the prettiest and most serene of any churches I have ever seen or have attended. I hope that I will be able to see reconstructed church in time.
Lathram Chapel UMC took up a special love offering for you all Pastor Janet and CUMC this past Sunday..We remember many great visits and dominoes games played in your church..Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jeeperman, I just don’t think your suggestion would hold air, much less helium.
Salvaging what remains and rebuilding a fine church similar to the one damaged with God’s help will keep the church going for another 100+ years.
Please contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The historic district has been designated as such and will qualify. It is valuable and worth being preserved. I am no expert at all but read that the building codes can be designated as rehab and therefore not subject to modern standards. So sorry for your loss. I just hope for the best for all in the recovery. The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.
Janet,
I know you and the people there must be heart broken. So sorry for your loss of this beautiful building. Know that if God allowed this, He has something better in mind for you all. Be blessed in whatever that is.
Okay a wild thought…………………
Take out all the “sharp objects”.
Spray interior with a peel off polyurethane plastic of some kind.
Fill church with helium from local company that produces it.
Church lifts just enough to reposition it onto foundation.
So sad… a shame it is not worth dismantling and setting back up on a better foundation. I sure hope they can salvage that beautiful wood and use it in the construction of a new church? Or sold and the money used toward helping the church.
Mt. Carmel UMC is praying for you!!!
We know very well the feeling of your loss!
God Bless You!