CHANDLER, Ariz. — Just before Sunday service, a Valley church experienced damage that could force them to start over.
The roof of Corona Baptist Church collapsed right into where members would congregate.
Pastor Mike Molina said it happened on Oct. 28, but he and other members noticed cracks in the drywall in the weeks leading up to the incident. Molina also said when they went outside to inspect the roof, they could see it starting to dip.
Given the circumstances, Molina said they stopped services inside the church, located near Ray and Rural roads, until the situation could be addressed.
The cause is still under investigation and Molina said they are waiting to hear from their insurance to see what they can do moving forward.
“I hope they can try to bring it back,” said Joe Whitaker.
Whitaker and his wife Nedra drove past the building Friday like so many others to see the damage for themselves.
"This is just very heartbreaking and devastating,” Nedra said.
Both of them have a deep connection to the church. Not only did they attend for years, they were also there when it was built 30 years ago.
“There was a bunch of us that was here the day that beam went up,” Joe said.
He said he remembers cranes lifting the beam into place, with people walking on the roof to inspect. He also recalled when the giant white cross on the front of the building was also put in place.
Joe even helped.
“I was a painter at the time, so did most of the painting,” he said.
Seeing it now three decades later, they both can't believe what happened.
"It makes me sick," Joe said.
While they both hope it can be rebuilt in the shape it is now, Nedra said it may be best to start over.
"You don't know what other damage that's going to be there so I would say probably just rebuild if they can," she said.
Molina said Sunday services will continue in another building on the church's campus. However, he is considering renting out another building until everything is fixed.
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