Church refuses to let hurricane damage halt worship services

Members of Bethel Baptist Church relocated after sanctuary damaged in Matthew

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite Hurricane Matthew causing significant damage to the sanctuary of Bethel Baptist Church in downtown Jacksonville, the church has found a way to continue holding worship services. 

The sanctuary took a major hit during the storm, with heavy rains and winds causing the sanctuary's roof to fall on pews and forcing drywall to come crashing down.

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Now, the buckets that were once used to collect offerings are being used to collect the water dripping from the ceiling. 

The popular church with 10,000 members will hold services in its old sanctuary, which is also the oldest Baptist church in the state of Florida. 

Parishioners have had to add another worship service until pews are replaced and repairs are completed because the historic building only holds just under 1,000, while the damaged sanctuary holds nearly 4,000 members. 

"We do have to get to church early if you want a good seat. But I think it's like we're more together and it's, like, togetherness and we're making it work," said Alon Halliburton, a member of the church. 

Members of the church said the old sanctuary is a little more snug, but they hope to be back in the new sanctuary next year.

"It's going to be an adjustment and bear with us and we're still going to make it work," said Altamese House, who has been a member of Bethel Baptist Church for 12 years. 

There are still several hurdles for the church to overcome. First, the church must pay a wind and hail deductible that is 5 percent of the property's value. And with the property being worth $17 million, that means Bethel Baptist would have to pay at least $700,000 out of pocket before renovations can be done. 

As of Wednesday, the church had begun water mitigation -- getting moisture and humidity out of the air. 

Church leaders said they've been told that they can't qualify for FEMA assistance because the church is downtown. But they expect repairs will take through the end of the year.