Congregation Plans To Rebuild

Members of a historic Garfield County church that was destroyed by a tornado Saturday vowed to rebuild.

News On 6 reporter Jacqueline Sit reports 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.

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.