A Reason for HOPE
Church members pick up the pieces after storm
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com

Nebraska Roberson, above, points out the absence of the right tower on Second Hopeful Baptist Church's sanctuary, which was destroyed by a tornado nearly two weeks ago. The demolished century-old sanctuary was originally built as a clapboard structure and later bricked. Below, Louise Bussey picks up branches from the church cemetery.

The sanctuary was a total loss.

The baptismal pool where Nebraska Roberson was gently lowered beneath the water more than 50 years ago lies beneath a pile of rubble.

Carefully peering into the sanctuary of Second Hopeful Baptist Church on Winter Road, he looks up through the collapsed roof and sees only blue sky. Every breeze triggers a series of creaks and groans that warn those nearby.

A lonely chandelier dangles from a stud that stubbornly hung on while a tornado took down its parallel partners nearly two weeks ago.

The shattered windows, broken timbers and scattered debris mark a sharp contrast to the century old sanctuary's crisp white walls and spotless velvet-cushioned pews. Last fall, people packed into those pews to celebrate the church's 140th anniversary.

Staff - Anne Marie Kyzer

But instead of mourning their loss now, Roberson and his fellow church members are making plans to rebuild.

Roberson turns his back on the skeletal remains of the sanctuary and looks towards a stretch of green grass.

The deacon chairman walks 10 paces from the old building, which is located off of Winter Road, and says, "We thought we'd put the pulpit right about here."

There's no use in dwelling on the destruction, he says.

"God will make a way for us," he adds confidently. "What was destroyed was not ours anyway; it was His and He just let us use it."

As members gathered on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, Roberson said they couldn't help but think of the revival of their church as well.

As they plan for the future, members are making sure the rich history of Second Hopeful is not cleared away with the wreckage.

As soon as safely possible, they'll retrieve the bell that hung in the left tower for as long as anyone can recall. It will have a special place in the new building, as will a cross constructed with timbers salvaged from the old sanctuary.

Roberson said he knows that much work must be done before their plans come to fruition, but he remains assured that his lifelong church home will rise again.

In the meantime, the congregation will continue to gather every second and fourth Sunday to worship in their fellowship hall.

"Where one or two are gathered," Roberson says with a peaceful smile, "He is there."