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Groundbreaking Held To Rebuild Tornado Ravaged 114 Year Old Century Church

A groundbreaking was held Sunday morning for the reconstruction of the historic Century United Methodist Church, which was damaged beyond repair in the February 15, 2016,  EF-3 tornado in Century.

“Our last service was held on this site on Valentine’s Day 2016. The next day, the tornado came and knocked (the building) off our foundation.  Twenty months ago today the bell was removed from the bell tower. On July 8, the sanctuary walls came down,” Rev. Janet Lee said Sunday morning. “But we returned to this site not to talk about the old church, but to look forward to the future.”

During the groundbreaking ceremony Sunday, a church member held up a brick leftover from the foundation of the original church.

“I personally will see that it gets put in the foundation of the new church. It’s only fitting,” Lee told the congregation.

For more photos, click here.

Pensacola architect Carter Quina designed the new church to look much like the old building. It will include windows, pews, light fixtures, woodwork and more salvaged from the old church.

The Century United Methodist  Church was built in 1902, just after Century was established by The Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company. It was constructed of virgin long leaf pine, with interior detail and finish that created a reverent place for worship.

For over 114 years, the sanctuary helped to provide comfort and inspiration to Century residents with weekly services, as well as special occasions such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals.

Time took its toll on the familiar old building, along with a fire and hurricanes. The February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado that struck Century dealt a blow from which the building could not be recovered.  Many architectural details were salvaged before the structure had to be dismantled.

Work on the Church Street site is expected to begin shortly and should be completed in about 10 months.

“We hope to be in the new building by Christmas,” Lay Leader J.R. Jones said.

Church members have continued to meet since the tornado, operating out of their Annex Building across the street.

For more photos, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.