Published: June 05, 2008 11:39 pm         

Little church storms back

MARSHALL — More than two weeks ago members of the small Potter Community Church were mourning their 100-year-old church, which a tornado blew away May 24. Today, plans are well under way to rebuild.

“Things are coming our way. We want to put the building back that looks similar to what it was — a wood-framed structure, rather than a metal building,” said Sandra Keneaston, a longtime member of the church.

The congregation still is meeting at the church site in far southeast Garfield County every Sunday, sitting in lawn chairs in the open.

Plans for a June 21 auction are under way with a new purpose. The money originally was to pay for a new roof, but now it will be the start of a new church. Keneaston said they are hopeful the box supper and auction at Orlando Community Building will raise enough money to get rebuilding started. Church members estimate it will take about $25,000 to rebuild the church, using volunteer labor and as many donations as possible. The church was not insured.

They started out with $900 in the roof repair fund and are now up to more than $1,400. Keneaston said donations have been coming in, and many people have offered to help since a tornado destroyed the building.

“People rallied and showed an interest. The electric company (Central Rural Electric of Stillwater) said they will restore electric service for free, and if we air-condition it will upgrade it for free,” she said.

Last week, an architect from Arizona contacted church members and offered to provide a free design of the new church. They hope to have a drawing of the church by the June 21 auction.

Teena Skinner, also a church member, said a Christian book store in Stillwater donated supplies, including Sunday school books and other items. Tom Mack’s Dozer Service donated equipment to help clear the property, and Ditch Witch also sent equipment, she said.

Church members are optimistic they can rebuild for $25,000. Skinner said if they can raise half that amount they can borrow the rest.

Sam Jerome, pastor of the church, said a group of people cleaned up the property last Saturday. He said the church would not be anything fancy, just a shell building with some walls. He did not know if they would be able to air-condition it but said central heating probably would be added. The church had used propane heating.

Skinner indicated they also would install restrooms to replace the outhouses formerly used by the church members.

“Bathrooms are certainly one thing we’re looking at and central heating. Air conditioning may be one thing we have to skip over,” Jerome said.

“The response has been real good. We’ve heard from people all over the country, people wanting to give us songbooks and even some pews,” he said.

Juan Guerrero, the Arizona architect, said he read about the church being destroyed. He said he occasionally does things for a worthwhile cause, and the Potter church seemed like a good one. Eventually, according to the law, church members will need a registered architect in Oklahoma to approve the plans, he said.