BARNSDALL, Okla. — Saturday morning crews tore down the Barnsdall First Free Will Baptist church after it suffered extreme injury in Monday nights storms.
“Even though it’s a building, a lot of memories happened here. I baptized a lot of people, we had funerals, weddings, VBS Christmas programs, I’ve seen a lot of people be saved in this church. Even though it’s a building there’s emotion tied to it. I feel grief right now and it comes in waves,” mentioned Rick Loggins, pastor of the church.
Loggins has been the pastor of Barnsdall First Free Will Baptist Church for 15 years. Saturday morning he stood to the aspect watching his church get torn down.
“The last really happy event we had in the church was a wedding. My granddaughter said she didn’t want to be married in a venue, she wanted to be married in her church,” mentioned Loggins.
Barnsdall First Free Will Baptist Church
Nevertheless, Loggins mentioned the church constructing being torn down doesn’t imply their church is gone.
“I mean even though we’re losing a building, it’s just a building. Our church is our people,” mentioned Loggins.
They plan to rebuild in the identical spot.
“Our plans are to build a new sanctuary fellowship hall children’s building right here because so many houses are gone and we want to be a beacon of light in the community here, where all this disaster happened,” mentioned Loggins.
Loggins mentioned whereas it is a onerous day, there’s nonetheless some good. They run the neighborhood meals financial institution simply behind the church which remained protected through the storm.
“Food bank was spared, it’s the Shelby Cook Memorial Food Bank. We are the community food bank for Barnsdall, we serve 85 to 100 families a month. Other than some minor damage, it’s good. Were gonna get electric hooked up today,” mentioned Loggins.
He mentioned members of his church had been working Saturday morning delivering meals to these in want.
If you wish to assist the church, they particularly want funds for his or her neighborhood meals financial institution in a time like this. You could find extra info on donations right here.
“Well bless their hearts.”
