Pratt City's Antioch Missionary Baptist returns after rebuilding from tornado destruction

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The rebuilding of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, which was heavily damaged by a tornado on April 27, has given hope to the recovery efforts in Pratt City, said Pastor Quinton E. Hammonds.

"It's sparking an excitement throughout the community," Hammonds said. "Us rebuilding gives them hope for rebuilding."

The tornado hit three days after Easter, and Hammonds immediately began preaching on the theme of resurrection.

"My message all along has been that resurrection is a reality," Hammonds said. "Now that we have rebuilt, they see a visible reality of resurrection in the community."

The rebuilt sanctuary has been expanded to 550 seats, with a new mezzanine and upper-level for audio-visual equipment and a new choir stand.

Antioch has about 700 members.

The sanctuary and multipurpose building both had significant damage and required months of renovation and repair.

More than 60 families in the church are still recovering from tornado damage to their homes, including many that had their homes completely destroyed.

The church has distributed about $50,000 in financial assistance to tornado victims. The Church at Brook Hills has worked with Antioch to help secure housing, furniture and clothing for people affected by the tornado.

There remains massive work to be done.

The church's worship services on Sunday are at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., with Sunday school at 10 a.m. On the first Sunday back in the renovated sanctuary, it was near capacity for both services, Hammonds said.

The massive destruction of Pratt City by the tornado was a demoralizing defeat for the community, he said. "The initial reaction after the storm was, 'Let's get out,'" he said.

"We suffered a similar storm in 1998, and many people lived through one in 1974 that wiped out the community," Hammonds said. "Some of the older people said, 'We've gone through this three times, so we're not coming back.'"

Some Antioch church members are in the process of rebuilding homes.

"The more people that rebuild in Pratt City, the more I believe it will inspire others," Hammonds said.

Wanda Naylor, a member of the church, had her home completely destroyed but she has rebuilt with the help of Habitat for Humanity and other volunteers, Hammonds said.

Naylor asked Hammonds to have a blessing at the house.

"The more people rebuild, the more people will come back," Hammonds said.

"It's starting to catch on," he said. "People are thinking that it's safe to come back."

Join the conversation by clicking to comment or email Garrison at ggarrison@bhamnews.com.

Source: http://blog.al.com/living-news/2011/12/pratt_citys_antioch_missionary.html

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