Cape churches raise funds for flood-damaged Red Star Baptist building

A multidenominational effort is being made to support a church in need.

After the record-breaking flood of December and January, Red Star Baptist Church needs repairs and renovations to its activity center and other sections of its campus. Several area churches are answering the call.

A chicken and fish fry, silent auction and bake sale will be held in the basement of Red Star Baptist Church from 4 to 8 p.m. April 1.

All the proceeds will go toward Red Star’s renovations.

Representatives from Centenary United Methodist Church, La Croix United Methodist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynwood Baptist Church, the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church and Cape First have joined together to raise thousands of dollars of assistance to Red Star.

Terry Crowell, a member of Centenary United Methodist Church who is helping coordinate the event, called the project a grassroots effort.

“Honestly, it’s just a group of women who came together and said: ‘You know what? We can get folks from our church to help support this.’ And the best part is it’s multidenominational. It’s big churches, small churches, all doing what they can to help,” Crowell said.

“Red Star has been such a positive presence in the community for so very many years,” Crowell said. “I don’t ever remember a time when Red Star was not a mainstay of that part of town, as well as greater Cape Girardeau.”

Crowell praised Red Star Baptist Church for its community programs, such as the Red Star Food Pantry, the Red Star Clothes Closet and its local youth outreach programs — all of which take place in the church’s activity center.

“We just felt like, as churches, we should support one another,” Crowell said.

“If one of our churches needs some additional help, it’s our privilege to work alongside of them and support them.”

“We feel blessed for all of these churches coming together, wanting to help,” said Mary Jackson of Red Star Baptist Church, who also is helping coordinate the event. “It’s going to be a big blessing for our church and for the community. With the help of all these churches, we’re going to make a huge difference.”

Tickets for the dinner and silent auction are $10 for adults and $6 for children younger than 6.

Over 200 tickets have been sold already, Crowell said, and they also will be available at the door.

Items still are being accepted for the silent auction.

Interested parties can contact Centenary United Methodist Church at (573) 334-2869 to make donation arrangements.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

1301 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO