By Betsy Finklea
There’s no place like home. On Saturday, September 23, at 5:00 p.m., the St. John Missionary Baptist Church at 215 Covington Street in Latta will officially celebrate their return to their church building that was severely damaged during Hurricane Matthew with a rededication of the church building.
This is being held as part of their Homecoming celebration. It has been nearly a year since the church was damaged, and during that time, they have been meeting at the Ellis Performing Arts Center in Latta. There was a time when they didn’t even know if they would be able to save the church structure, but repairs have been made, and they are now able to occupy the building.
Rev. Dr. William Walker said a great deal has been done to accommodate their return. There is completely new wood on the top of the church along with a new roof. In the interior, they were able to save the pews and some of the furnishings. They lost all of their hymn books, Bibles, some of the officer paperwork, and kitchen/pantry materials to water, mildew, and mold. ServPro came in and saved their pews and basic furniture.
The entire foyer has been redone with a new ceiling, walls, and lights. In the sanctuary, the ceiling had to be repaired, but there is more work to be done. Other work had to be done throughout the church. They made a new pastor’s office and opened the wall of the old pastor’s office to expand the kitchen.
They are still in the process of replacing many things including some windows in the fellowship hall, but they have some members whose families are helping with that expense. They were able to pay for the repairs in the inside of the church, but had to borrow money to repair the roof. It will probably take a couple of more years to get the things that need to be done completed.
They were able to return to the building the first Sunday of September.
Saturday will be a rededication of the building and an acknowledgement of how they have been blessed. Dr. Walker said that many of the members have a greater appreciation of their building now that they have been away from it a while and have returned.
Rev. Walker said this has brought them closer together as a church and made them more vigorous in working and serving. He said that he believes that moving forward they will be a stronger church. He is thankful of the support of the community, the school district, and other churches, and he appreciates the prayers that have gone up for the church. He said they have been blessed.
Saturday’s program will include remarks from Dr. Charles Pee, moderator of the Little Pee Dee Baptist Association. Also on the program are Dr. John Kirby, Vice-Moderator Rev. Larry McCallum, Rev. Leonard Simmons of Weston Chapel, Rev. Rob Pierce of Latta Baptist Church, and several others. The public is invited to attend.
If you would like to contribute to St. John’s renovation fund, send contributions to P.O. Box 631, Latta, S.C. 29565.
