FOREST, Va. (WFXR) – The Forest Level Baptist Church came together Sunday for its first worship service since a December 9 explosion destroyed its home church.
They gathered just down the road at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School for a service members described as “powerful.”
“It was thankfulness,” said Camilla McCoy, daughter of church pastor Marcin Wilson. “I’m so glad we got to be together today, and I think everyone’s really just across the gamut of feelings that they’re experiencing.”
Wilson has navigated the congregation through tough times before, meeting outside to worship during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“Worship comes from a place of thanksgiving,” said Wilson, echoing his daughter’s sentiment. “When you have been in an adverse situation or are going through difficult things, it seems to come a little easier.”
So much of the community’s thankfulness stems from the timing of the accident, as it took place late on a Monday night when no one was inside.
“It’s like we’re grieving and thankful at the same time,” said longtime member Gaynelle Lipford. “It could have been so much worse. We had service the day before. It could have happened then.”
Service will be held at the elementary school for at least another week as church leaders search for a permanent solution.
“We’re going to take it week by week,” said Wilson. “As you can imagine, this week our focus is just on getting the family back together.”
After next week’s worship, church leaders will travel to Danville to provide a Christmas dinner for the residents at Pinecrest Assisted Living.
“I’ve learned in times of difficulty, that sometimes the best thing to help is to pour yourself into someone else,” said Wilson.
The church recently celebrated its 151st anniversary, and is still roped off to the public after being deemed extremely unsafe by the Bedford County Fire Department.
It is unknown when or if the building will re-open.