Wind Storm Damages Trinity Lutheran Church at Vinton
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1
Approximately 4:30 AM on Monday, July 11, 2011, thunder boomed and lightning flashed, then the sound of the wind’s roar woke up the north Benton County community of Vinton, even as the siren began to scream its warning. Even though, or maybe because, the storm didn’t last very long, when people began to leave their basements and went outside the devastation that they saw was a shock. The streets were impassable from trees and debris. Power lines were down. Many homes and businesses were damaged. And the trees… someone estimated that over 2,000 trees in Vinton were destroyed or severely damaged. Straight line winds were estimated at between 110-130 mph.Trinity Lutheran Church on the outskirts of Vinton was one of the buildings attacked by the storm. A large section of roof was blown away, allowing insulation, rain and debris to drop into the Sanctuary and Sacristy. Water running through the ceiling structure poured in the hallways, our Pastor’s office, and the Sunday Superintendent’s Office. In spite of the impassable streets, lack of electricity and their own damages, by mid-morning church members began to congregate at the church to study the damage and see what could be done to control further damage. Congregational Chairman, Duane Fisher got the okay from the insurance company to have a temporary cover put on the roof. Pastor and other church members removed the paraments and other movable objects from the Sanctuary and Sacristy. Nails and other debris in the parking lot were picked up. The insurance adjuster came and arranged for a Structural Engineer to come to determine if the church’s structure was still sound. Insurance will cover most of the loss. Bids have come in for repairs.
In time, the physical church will be restored. For those members who have seen the damage, emotions are still being dealt with. There is something about having your home or church damaged by weather or other uncontrollable events. I cannot describe the feelings of seeing the altar, pews, organ, even the floors covered with debris and inches of insulation; great yawning holes where once the roof was. But when I saw that the cross in the sanctuary still hung high, I realized that God’s promise that He would always be with us still holds true. The light was shining through the stain glass windows which had also remained intact, and I realized it was not a time to ask “Why?” but to say “Thank you!”
Trinity congregation and the town of Vinton have much to be thankful for — no one from Vinton was killed or seriously injured during the storm; and despite how much damage was done to the trees, most homes were not seriously hurt. Neighbors and strangers offered help; the Red Cross quickly set up a place for those without electricity, church members came together to clean up the outside of the church. We are especially thankful for all the calls and visits from Circuit Pastors and District Administration and churches.
We are able to worship in our Parish hall. It is very healing to be able to gather with our church family in our church to worship. We are thankful that Pastor Frederick was able to go ahead with his scheduled hip surgery and is doing well. The visiting Pastors have given such heartfelt sermons and such Christian love to us. Our Chairman has kept us abreast of the work being done. Sharing this time has made it easier to handle. God has been gracious to us, standing beside us in this time. We look forward to the future here at Trinity.
