Boone's Chapel Baptist Church breaks ground on new facility following April 15 tornado (photos)

PRATTVILLE,
Alabama -- Boone's Chapel Baptist Church is starting to rebuild after an EF-3 tornado
destroyed its sanctuary and children's facility April 15. The church held a
groundbreaking ceremony at noon Sunday for a new 17,000-square-foot facility to be built where the former sanctuary once stood.

"It's exciting for us because we've been in cramped quarters," said BCBC pastor Mike Johnson.

The 500-member congregation has been having services in the church's gymnasium since the tornado, and will continue to do so. The new facility will house numerous classrooms for preschoolers and children, including a multi-use worship and recreation room for the children. It will also house staff and administrative offices and a safe room, which will be made available to the community during severe weather.

Prior to the storms, an evaluation by church members assessed the ministry needs of the community as well as the church body. The findings were used to help decide on the type of facility that was needed.

According to the postal authorities, there are approximately 8,300 homes within a five-mile radius of the church, and most do not have adequate storm protection.

Willard Hollon and his two adult children, Steve and Cheryl, were killed in the tornado. Johnson said their mobile home, located within view of the church, was picked up, tossed over the sanctuary and landed beside the church.

Johnson, who recently completed his first year with BCBC, has experience with rebuilding after tornadoes. He served as pastor at Albertville First Baptist Church before coming to BCBC, and helped the community rebuild after an EF-3 destroyed much of the town April 24, 2010.

"The church was not destroyed, but the town was destroyed," Johnson said. "I moved here and low and behold it was d?j? vu all over again."

The facility should be completed within nine to 11 months. River Bank of Prattville will provide financing. A building fund has been established and donations may be made toward the completion of the facility through the church office located at 2301 County Road 66, Prattville, AL 36067.

Source: http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2012/01/boones_chapel_baptist_church_b.html

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