One year ago, they were worshipping in the midst of devastation; New London church remembers tornado

NEW LONDON (WITI) A New London church was severely damaged by a tornado one year ago. Church members gathered on Thursday, August 7th to reflect on the past year.

It has been an amazing journey weve been on, Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor Bill Sutlief said.

As he did one year ago, Pastor Sutlief gathered his faithful once again in the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday.

A year ago we were outside worshipping in the parking lot with the devastation as our back drop. Tonight, were outside up closer to the building having a chance to worship with the newness of the building as our backdrop, Pastor Sutlief said.

A year ago a tornado tore through New London and the church.

I think back to when I got that phone call to come up here on the Wednesday morning around 6:00 a.m. I live four houses down . I was just stunned as I came up and I was just crushed, Sunday school teacher Patty Dyerson said.

Now, the church members say theyre filled with joy tosee the handwork construction crews and kind hearts in the community have made.

It was just a blessing to be here a year later, Dyerson said.

Its exciting in a sense that a year later, we can see all that has been accomplished, Pastor Sutlief said.

Pastor Sutlief says most of the building was salvaged.

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One year ago, they were worshipping in the midst of devastation; New London church remembers tornado