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On Friday night, June 7, 2019, the Faithway Assembly of God Church, on East Central Avenue was under water following what some describe as a 200-year flood. The cleanup process for Faithway Church has taken six months.
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Six months ago, Faithway Assembly of God was under water.
Today, the church is on its way to a full recovery. And the rebuild begins today, according to Pastor Steve Bruce.
While a flood of the proportions that hit in June 2019 had the potential to destroy the entire building, parts of the building were salvageable. The studs, plumbing fixtures and exterior of the building were able to be saved, Bruce said.
Pastor Steve Bruce said most of the framing in the church can be reused.
The outside clean up took until recently and with that taken care of, the inside of the church will now see work starting today.
Being displaced has been “tough” on the congregation, Bruce said. They bounced around different locations until landing at the Wesleyan Church. “We are making due,” Bruce said of the location that can house around 70 of the 150 congregants. But after searching for a place to hold services during the rebuild, Bruce said the group is happy to have found a place with a “church atmosphere.”
The flood that took out the church was devastating enough but given that the church lacked flood insurance, the problem was compounded.
And yet, Bruce remained optimistic. Soon, the “miracle part” of the story began with donations coming in locally and from across the country.
The timeline to be back in the church is Easter.
“You don’t even think people know about your situation,” Bruce said of the surprise in receiving donations from states such as Texas and Washington.
As construction begins on the inside, Bruce has a timeline in his head for the completion.
“Easter would be ideal, but anytime would be good,” he said.
To donate to the rebuilding effort, visit HERE or send your donation check to P.O. Box 1602, LaFollette, TN, 37766. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/09/2019-6AM)