Galveston, on the bay – the damage from Hurricane Ike is a blessing in
disguise.
Tony McCollum, pastor of the 900-member Seabrook United
Methodist Church, said the September 13 hurricane’s damage will benefit
the church, at least in one way. The church will use the insurance
money to get a head start on a long-planned new sanctuary. McCollum
hopes the insurance money will cover the $3 million first phase of the
project. The church’s current buildings – the highest of which was
flooded with three feet of water – will all be torn down.
“We’ve been working on this move for 12 years,” said
McCollum. “Now we’re going to be able to let go and say, you know what,
at this point we have no option.”
This Sunday, the congregation had an outdoor worship
service at the site of the new building. McCollum is not sure what the
congregation will do until the new building is built, but is
considering a modular building, sharing space with another church, or
meeting in storefront property.
up the damage from Hurricane Ike, they are concerned about the storm’s
less visible effects.
