Arkansas church building destroyed by EF3 tornado

Just a few hours after the Cave City Church of Christ in Arkansas met for a gospel meeting, an EF3 tornado obliterated the congregation’s  meeting place.

On that Friday night last week, visiting speaker Barry O’Dell had emphasized that “the church is not the building.”

No church members were hurt, nor were any of the their homes damaged, elder Barry Wilkes told The Christian Chronicle. But five community members suffered injuries, and Wilkes estimates at least 100 homes and business were destroyed.

Related: Keeping the faith amid the flames

The storm was part of a larger weather system that spawned tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires across the central U.S., killing at least 40 people.

The National Weather Service and local meteorologists had warned of the particularly dangerous severe weather threat.

“A lot of people were up and ready and watching it, anticipating it,” Wilkes noted. “We had a pretty good warning, and I think that’s what helped save people.”

After the threat had passed, one of the members told the elder that their city had been hit pretty hard.

Wilkes went to check on the church building around midnight and found the storm had completely torn off the roof and much of the support structure of the 50-year-old main building.

Wilkes had worshiped there since his father helped build it in 1973.

Cave City elder Barry Wilkes found the church’s building destroyed around midnight after an EF3 tornado.

The fellowship hall and parsonage were also damaged, likely beyond repair, Wilkes said.

But somewhat fortunately, he added, the parsonage was unoccupied after Cave City’s preacher moved away about a month ago.

“Buildings can be rebuilt, lives cannot,” Wilkes said. “And I mean, I’m sad. … It hurts because it (has) a lot of sentimental value. I got married there. My mom and dad’s funeral was there. You know, it’s been my life for 50-some-odd years. But it can be replaced.”

“Buildings can be rebuilt, lives cannot.”

The church has insurance that it expects will help pay some, but not all, of the cost of rebuilding.

In the meantime, the local high school has offered the use of its facilities to the church as long as needed. Another elder, Marc Walling, is the school’s principal.

Devastating storms ripped the roof off of the Cave City Church of Christ building.

The 100-member congregation met there the following Sunday.

“It was very emotional worship,” Wilkes recalled. “There’s been a lot of tears shed. … But we’re just fortunate that we had a place to worship Sunday, and everybody’s doing real well. I think everybody’s going to come through this a lot stronger and have more faith.”

The same day, Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort delivered a shipment of supplies to the Cave City church. Amid the devastation, church members are working to serve the community.

Other communities affected

The Nashville, Tenn.-based relief organization has also sent semi-truckloads of food and basic supplies to other affected areas around the U.S.: in Missouri, the Bakersfield Church of Christ, Central Church of Christ in West Plains, Rolla Church of Christ, Florissant Church of Christ, Highland Drive Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff, Alton Church of Christ and Piedmont Church of Christ; in Oklahoma, the Cleveland Church of Christ; in Mississippi, the Tylertown Church of Christ in Mississippi; and in Arkansas, the Ash Flat Church of Christ.

The 7^th and Mueller Church of Christ in Paragould, Ark., has provided food and water to community members affected, with help from Crowley’s Ridge Academy, a Christian school associated with Churches of Christ.

Members of the Arnold Church of Christ in Missouri have helped community members with clearing trees, patching roofs and grilling food after the city was hit by an EF2 tornado during the weekend storms.

Calera residents survey damage to mobile homes near the Calera Church of Christ.

The Calera Church of Christ in Alabama opened its doors to neighbors who lost their mobile homes, offering food and shelter and helping with debris cleanup. Minister Keith Jones told the Chronicle the EF1 tornado passed about 30 yards from the church building but didn’t cause any damage.

“As a community, we kind of rallied around those few folks that did need the help,” Jones said. “And, you know, thankfully, it wasn’t any worse than it was.”

If you have information about churches affected or relief efforts, email [email protected].

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