News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Congregation plans to rebuild

Congregation plans to rebuild

Posted: Updated:

Featured Video

Bonnie Roberts, 92, used to play the piano at the Potter Community Church. Bonnie Roberts, 92, used to play the piano at the Potter Community Church.

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

GARFIELD COUNTY, Okla. -- Members of a historic Garfield County church that was destroyed by a tornado Saturday vowed to rebuild.

The members of the Potter Community Church met Sunday for worship on the steps where their church once stood. A tornado ripped the building from its foundation during Saturday's storms.  Members of the 103-year-old congregation said the church is a part of their lives and they plan to rebuild.

"It's just a building I know, but it sure meant a lot to a lot of us," said Bonnie Roberts, long-time church member.

Start the slideshow

The 92-year-old is one of 12 regular attendees.

The piano that Roberts used to play for Sunday services was found in a nearby field.

"Oh mercy, I'll never get to play it again," she said.

Pastor Sam Jerome has ministered for the congregation for 30 years.

He said the church plans to start cleaning up by next weekend and have a fundraiser next month to rebuild the church for the close-knit family of faith.

"We know the people that are here, their children, their birthdays, their anniversaries; we're just really close," he said.

This is not the first time the church was damaged.  The church burned in the 1950s.

 

You must be logged in to rate this story. Login or register
Comments
Terms of Use: Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. In addition, by submitting a comment, you recognize that your comment may be read or discussed on one or more television news broadcasts on NEWS 9 and you consent to any such use. By submitting a comment, you agree to these Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register
See all comments
Close windowBranding

Congregation plans to rebuild

Close window

May 10th Recovery

FEMA to close Picher office

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is closing its Picher headquarters. More>>

Picher gets a celebrity helping hand

Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney went home to Picher on Tuesday. More>>

Federal officials to assess Picher damage

Officials from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security will be visiting Picher after a tornado has killed seven people and left the town in ruins. More>>

Family Pet Survives Storm

One Picher family is thankful for a surprising discovery made in all the rubble. More>>

Emergency Contact Information

Oklahoma Tornado Safety Information

Click here to learn how and where to take shelter during a tornado. More>>

Red Cross And Other Emergency Numbers

Find phone numbers for area Red Cross organizations, power companies and more. More>>

Follow the big storm in real time across the state.

Get the latest weather information right on your desktop.

Learn what each radar can offer in times of severe weather.

Be prepared.  Disaster kit and weather radio information here.

View all the latest coverage of Oklahoma's severe storms.

Tornado Alley is a nickname for a broad section of land in the central U.S.

Find some of the more common misconceptions about the 'real tornado'.

Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000-2010, WorldNow and KWTV. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Help Page.