Three Alabama Baptist churches in western Jefferson County were damaged by tornadoes and high winds that left much of the area in shambles April 27. But despite the damage to church buildings, a number of church groups reached out to storm victims by providing meals, water, clothing, basic necessities and even electricity.
In Hueytown, Concord Highland Baptist Church lay in the tornado’s path and suffered extensive damage. Although the entrance to the sanctuary appears normal from the road, most of the facility is either gone or in shambles, according to church secretary Barbara Bowden. The roof is missing from most of the sanctuary. The church steeple is missing. The piano is in splinters and the rest of the area is “extensively damaged.”
In the kitchen below the sanctuary, Pastor Richard Larson said it looked like the wind had “sucked everything out.”
The church’s fellowship building was destroyed as was the church parsonage. The two families huddled in the basement of the parsonage, however, came out unscathed after the deadly winds had passed over.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department initially closed off the site to everyone, including families who lived in the area. But on April 28 residents were allowed back into the area for a brief period between 5 p.m. and sundown to survey the damage and gather what belongings they could. Over the weekend, access was slowly restored.
At First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, where Daven Watkins is pastor, the tornado toppled the church steeple, blew shingles away and tore a hole through the roof of one of the children’s buildings. Despite the damage, the church fed about 750 people April 28, volunteer Sherri McBee said.
“We’ve kind of quit counting but that’s how many plates we’ve used,” McBee said. “And they keep coming.” Although the church had no electricity, they were able to cook hot dogs, mozzarella cheese sticks and spaghetti on their gas stove.
Earlier that morning Tannehill Valley Baptist Church, McCalla, was damaged by straight-line winds, registering at 70-plus miles per hour.
According to Pastor Jonathan Reaves, the steeple was pulled down and as it fell, it cut into a three-inch water line, causing major damage to the music library, three nursery rooms, two Sunday School rooms and part of the sanctuary.
Even with damage of its own, Tannehill Valley Baptist trained disaster relief volunteers were ready when they were deployed following the tornado damage nearby. The State Board of Missions shower unit trailer housed at the church also was deployed to assist the Pleasant Grove area.
Union Hill Baptist Church, Bessemer, pastor Mickey Bell said his church served about 2,000 meals April 28.
“If we’re not going to open up our doors and feed people, we’re not worthy to open our doors the other 51 weeks of the year,” Bell declared.
In addition to feeding those who lost their homes or don’t have electricity, Bell said the church is also feeding volunteers, fire and rescue workers and officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department who helped police the epicenter of the tornado’s destruction in the area.
Bethel Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, also is providing food and supplies to storm victims.
Cottage Hill Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, ran a free shuttle service for people who had to walk from police checkpoints to see the wreckage and to check on their homes and relatives. Church member Cindy Vanderlindin, who drove the shuttle, said trees and telephone poles were bent in half or hung from useless power lines along her route.
“If we don’t lose a ton of people out of this, it will be a blessing,” she said.
In addition, Cottage Hill Baptist also provided beds, meals, water, clothing and electrical outlets for people to charge their cellphones in order to contact loved ones.
Pastor Jerry Sherrell said, “We’re a small church but we’re trying to help the best we can.”
Share with others: