Truck lands in Northside church sanctuary

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Members of a Northside church said they're thankful no one was inside the church when a pickup truck came barreling through the wall early Sunday morning.

The pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church on Moncrief Road said the accident happened around 5 a.m. No church members were hurt, but he said he's not sure about the driver of the vehicle, who News4Jax was told wasn't there when police arrived. 

The pastor said police he found the registration and the address of the owner inside the pickup.

"It's crazy. I think it is ridiculous. It looks like an 18-wheeler ran into the building. I was shocked when I pulled up, and it's funny because one of my girlfriends has just called me and asked, 'Are you guys renovating the old sanctuary?'" church member April Palmer said.

The pastor also said they plan to rebuild.

"I though about it. I thought about how terrible it was. Then, I thought, thank God it happened at 5 in the morning rather than 5 in the afternoon, because we would have mayhem if that would have taken place," George Price said. "There would have been so many injuries if anybody would have been in that building."

Because of the damage, an early morning Thanksgiving breakfast planned for the old sanctuary will be held in a small dining room.

Members said the church has been an important part of the community.

"The church has been here 114 years. It served the adjacent areas and it has become a staple of the community," member Anthony McNigh said.

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