Though Frances and Jeanne battered the tiny Bible Church of God, church members are taking solace in the community's outpouring of support.
By JILL ANN PERRINO
Published October 19, 2004
TARPON SPRINGS - The roof was destroyed, the paneling buckled, carpeting soaked through. The padded pews were soggy, the Bibles beyond repair, drywall damaged and the musical instruments in various states of ruin. In addition, the air conditioning was broken and the lights and wiring were wrecked.
Yet the damage from Frances and Jeanne has brought the Bible Church of God nothing but blessings, members say.
Forced to look for help restoring the tiny 40-year-old church and finding an alternative place to worship, the congregation has found the community generous in offering a wide variety of support.
Pastor Leon Marion said he is grateful for the donations of money and time the church has received.
"So many people have shown love," he said. "Even people we don't know have been willing to help."
The first to step in was Pastor Curt B. Snare of nearby St. Timothy Lutheran Church.
Snare and his 500-member congregation have helped raise some of the estimated $17,000 needed to repair the Bible Church of God and have helped spread the word about the church's needs.
Until repairs are complete, St. Timothy church also has invited members of the displaced church to worship with it. Knowing how important it is to allow individuals to worship as they see fit, Snare also has opened up his chapel so the 10 members of Bible Church of God could hold their own weekly services.
Other churches have offered money and manpower. One donated a case of Bibles. And while the church is still a long way from its fundraising goal, donations still keep pouring in.
"I saw a stranger write a check for a thousand dollars," said Mike Tagarelli, member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church.
A longtime resident of Tarpon Springs who is in the construction business, Tagarelli has taken on the responsibility of overseeing the repairs of the church. He is still looking for individuals, churches, civic groups and people in the construction industry to donate time, money and materials.
"Everybody's been so wonderful," said Bible Church of God member and evangelist Cindy Warren, who believes God will provide for the church through the community's generosity. In addition, she says this setback has introduced her to various ministries that she might not have been exposed to had the damage not occurred.
Snare is not surprised. As a member of the Tarpon Springs Clergy Association, he and other religious leaders work to bring churches together to build better understanding among the different denominations and to create fellowship among them. The association also works together on projects, such as a soup kitchen, that meet community needs.
"It's amazing the way our churches work together to serve the community, in spite of our cultural and religious differences," he said.
Snare said he felt called to help the Bible Church of God, especially since the church couldn't pull itself out of the trouble caused by the storms.
A three-night revival service is planned for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Mount Moriah AME Church, 722 Disston Ave. S, Tarpon Springs. Services will begin at 7 p.m. A collection will be taken to help with the renovations of the Bible Church of God.
Donations also can be made directly to Bible Church of God, 535 Martin Luther King Drive E, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689.
