Storm Levels Church South of Nappanee, Tears Roof Off School

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Storm Levels Church South of Nappanee, Tears Roof Off School

Thursday's storm leveled the New Beginnings Assembly of God Church. Members spent Friday morning, Oct. 19, 2007, going through the debris, trying to salvage what they could. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 19, 2007 at 11:28 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 24, 2007 at 7:22 PM EST

(WSBT) Most of the storm damage in Nappanee was on the city's south side.

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One of the hardest hit areas was near the New Beginnings Assembly of God Church, which was left in ruins by the severe weather.

The pastor and congregation gathered at first light Friday morning to assess the damage.

For them, it was emotional to see the church that they gathered in just last Sunday in this condition.

“Basically, heartbreak … at the devastation and [I’m] speechless,” said Pastor Michael Tomlinson.

“It was just hard to even fathom that this was where we were worshipping last Sunday,” said church member Michelle Neese. “Those were the seats we were sitting in and they are just thrown everywhere.”

Members of the congregation who were surveying the damage were devastated by what they saw, but say with the help of God, this church will go on.

“We are going to overcome this,” Neese said. “This is not going to be the end of the New Beginnings Assembly of God; this is just the beginning."

Nearby the roof was partially blown off at South Side Christian School.

Thursday night, some youngsters were inside there taking part in a sporting event, and made it to safety into the bathroom area when the tornado hit.

Also nearby, part of the J. Mast Construction Company was leveled by the storm.

“Coming here last night, just seeing the devastation, and yet this morning finding out that we have no lives lost, and very few hurt, I just see God’s protecting hand over us,” said Thomas J. Mast.

Both the church and construction company have insurance. The next order of business for them is to clean up as soon as possible.

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