MAYFIELD, Ill. (WSIL) - For more than 100 years, the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) held its services at the same location in Mayfield.
But the building that was first used in 1908 is now gone, thanks to an EF-4 tornado back in December 2021.
"Our Church is gone,� said church building committee member, Jim Health recalling a conversation with a fellow church member after the tornado.
It’s been more than 900 days since the Mayfield tornado. That's 900 days for a church congregation without a permanent home. But on Saturday, they took the next step toward building a new place to worship.
"It's been a long road, but we're finally here,� said Health.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) broke ground for a new building and it's been a long time coming for those who faithful called it home for so many years.
"It really is, more emotional than I thought it would be,� said long-time member Carol Bradford.
Bradford was born in Mayfield and is a fourth-generation member of Disciples of Christ.
"My great-grandfather came to Western Kentucky from Ohio in the late 1800s and settled here,� she said. “He was a member here, an elder. His name was on the original deed."
Rick Loader has been the interim pastor as the church works to rebuild. He says through this time of rebuild he's appreciative of everyone's support.
"We're not pretending at all that we're coming back simply on our own,� said Loader. “We know that we've leaned on the community and these other people who have sent us monies and prayers throughout the country."
And for Bradford, she's glad the church will maintain one staple it's been known for all these years.
“We are dedicated to being a downtown church,� Bradford said. “We've always been a downtown church starting in 1853 when we moved from Graves County to the little town of Mayfield. So to be a beacon of hope, a beacon of light. We're here to let our light shine.�
The church is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2025.
