Oh No...My Old Church is Gone! (churches, missionaries, experience)

[BudinAk]

Seward Chapel, a non-denominational church in Seward, Ak, built in the late 1970's, with a congregation of perhaps 75, collapsed yesterday due to heavy snow buildup on the roof. No one was injured...it was un-occupied at the time, but appears to be a total loss. It had seating for up to perhaps 150 people, with several classrooms and a pastor's study. Insurance coverage is in question, because snow left to collect on a roof to the point of collapse can be construed as "negligence" of the owner.
I have fond memories: I attended church there for several years, and my wife and I were married there...
It's not known, at this point, if it will be rebuilt.

Bud

The "Before" Pic:


The "Now" Pic:

[freedom]

THat's what happens when pastors become building contractors....

Just kidding, i'm sure they'll build a better one. Maybe without a flat roof this time so the snow will shed. I reccommend metal on a 12/12 pitch.

godspeed,

freedom

[ShanaBrown]

Thankfully, no one was injured when the building collapsed. I'm sorry for your loss. God bless.

[mams1559]

It's terrible when a church building is lost. The congregation, no matter how small, have lost a "home" that I'm sure they loved. Hopefully other churches in the area will open up and support/host those who've lost their facility until a new one can be found/built.

As sad as it is, it's good to remember that the building isn't really God's church... but us with whom He dwells. And nothing, not even a mountain of snow, can change that

[Gretchen570]

The new one will be better!! Definitly a pitched roof!

[BudinAk]

I agree about the comments flat vs pitched roof. I realize a flat roof is cheaper to build, but...a flat roof...in Alaska?...where it snows A LOT? ...what were they thinking? They may have saved a few thousand $$$ back then, but that's little comfort now...
I remember when they built that church. That flat roof was a pain in the rear anatomy since day 1. Constant ongoing battle against leaks. And, every winter they would have to organize volunteer teams of "snow shovelers" to clear off the roof, or pay somebody else to do it. I think they even kept a snow blower up there, and just left it up there summer and winter. Apparently...the "snow remover guys" were a little too lax this winter. I watched the evening news, and they say they managed to salvage the piano out of that mess...
Maybe God is telling them it's time for a new building...one with a nice pitched roof...


Bud

[firstborn888]

Originally Posted by BudinAk

I watched the evening news, and they say they managed to salvage the piano out of that mess...
Maybe God is telling them it's time for a new building...one with a nice pitched roof

Or He's telling them that the music ministry is the most important
- Byron

[freedom]

Originally Posted by BudinAk

I agree about the comments flat vs pitched roof. I realize a flat roof is cheaper to build, but...a flat roof...in Alaska?...where it snows A LOT? ...what were they thinking? They may have saved a few thousand $$$ back then, but that's little comfort now...
I remember when they built that church. That flat roof was a pain in the rear anatomy since day 1. Constant ongoing battle against leaks. And, every winter they would have to organize volunteer teams of "snow shovelers" to clear off the roof, or pay somebody else to do it. I think they even kept a snow blower up there, and just left it up there summer and winter. Apparently...the "snow remover guys" were a little too lax this winter. I watched the evening news, and they say they managed to salvage the piano out of that mess...
Maybe God is telling them it's time for a new building...one with a nice pitched roof...

Bud

Thanks for understanding the spirit of my post, i re-read it and i could have worded it a little better.

godspeed,

freedom

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by freedom

Thanks for understanding the spirit of my post, i re-read it and i could have worded it a little better.

godspeed,

freedom

Freedom,

Your post actually made me smile. I don't know the particulars of Bud's old church, but rural Alaska definitely has it's fair share of churches that were built by committee. Well meaning, generous people often look at Alaska as a missionary ground, and the churches are often built by short-term missionaries who often don't have the necessary construction experience. I've seen some really interesting things!

-----

Bud,

I feel your pain. Both Bush communities I've lived in have lost churches based on structural issues. Thankfully, the problems were noticed early enough that the buildings were condemned before the losses became greater. Also, the first church I ever attended was gutted by an arson fire. Your old church looks like a nice building. What a shock!

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Bud I understand, the church I grew up in burned down a few years ago, it was beautiful, it was a very old building with big gorgeous stained glass windows, it is so sad when I go home to see the place where it was. They have since rebuilt the building, but it's not nearly the same, it's real modern looking now, it's very sad to me.