June 23, 2019

‘We will rebuild’: Fire leaves congregation without a church

During Friday afternoon’s storm, Cornerstone Wesleyan Church caught fire resulting in the destruction of the structure at 210 E. Outer Road in Scott City. “It was very hard to watch,” the Rev. Tommy Miller said. “It’s a building, but the church is in our hearts.” Here are scenes of the congregation in the days following the fire.

Arleen Tipsword, who at age 90 believes herself to be the oldest member of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, takes a brick as a souvenir from the remains of the church Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri. "It's heartbreaking," Tipsword said of the building that was destroyed in a fire during Friday afternoon's storm. "I met my husband here in this church." She believes it was 1978 when she first attended the church where she would marry her husband in 1985. "I mean this is most wonderful church family that we can depend on," she said.

Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Rev. Tommy Miller preaches as members of the congregation gather for services Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Scott City R-1 School District's Visual & Performing Arts Center/Community Safe Room in Scott City, Missouri. The official church building, located at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, was destroyed in a fire during Friday afternoon's storm.

Cornerstone Wesleyan Church member Pam Henderson of Scott City raises her hands during a song at the church's services Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Scott City R-1 School District's Visual & Performing Arts Center/Community Safe Room in Scott City, Missouri. 

Cornerstone Wesleyan Church member Bob Kilmer of Cape Girardeau folds his hands while attending the church's services Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Scott City R-1 School District's Visual & Performing Arts Center/Community Safe Room in Scott City, Missouri. "This saddens our heart, but we will fulfill the vision and the purpose that God has called us to," the Rev. Tommy Miller said about the church fire. "We will rebuild, we will. 100% we will rebuild." 

The remains of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church are seen Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri.

Cornerstone Wesleyan Church member Amanda Oleson hugs the Rev. Tommy Miller at the remains of the building Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri.

Handprints are seen on what was once the interior of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri. Church member Pam Henderson of Scott City said the handprints are from children at the church from through the years.

Cornerstone Wesleyan Church church members Arleen Tipsword, left, and Kelley Pedranti hold hands during a gathering at the remains of the building Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri.

People congregate at the remains of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri.

Cornerstone Wesleyan Church member Terry Johnston holds up a container for donations, used in a car wash the previous week, that he pulled from the remains of the church Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri. The building caught fire during Friday afternoon's storm.

Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Rev. Tommy Miller hugs church member Leah McGee, 10, of Scott City, near her mother Amy McGee as Leah gives Miller a container with church camp donations at the remains of the church Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri.

A chair is seen among the remains of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 210 E Outer Road in Scott City, Missouri.

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During Friday afternoon’s storm, Cornerstone Wesleyan Church caught fire resulting in the destruction of the structure at 210 E. Outer Road in Scott City. “It was very hard to watch,” the Rev. Tommy Miller said. “It’s a building, but the church is in our hearts.” Here are scenes of the congregation in the days following the fire.

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