Coming together in Comfrey

Congregations united

after tornado destroyed both of their churches

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

COMFREY -- The March 29, 1998, tornado tore up much of downtown Comfrey. Two churches, each with more than a 100 years of history, were destroyed.

But new life and new hope for the future came from that unforgettable storm. The two churches merged, and have built anew.

About 500 people attended the dedication Sunday of New Hope Lutheran Church in Comfrey, with another 200 people at an afternoon service. Impressive crowds, as Comfrey has about 400 residents and the blowing snow kept even more people from attending the ceremony.

Wayne Redman, church council chairman, spoke before the crowd about the opening of the new church.

"None of us would have dreamed or imagined two and a half years ago we would be worshipping in a building like this," Redman said. "But we must remember to worship in the building, not worship the building."

The Faith church, of Swedish and Scandinavian descent, had more than 125 years of history. The Salem church, with its German heritage, had celebrated its 105th anniversary.

The churches were similar: both were ELCA churches, they were from the same synod, they shared pastors and Sunday schools.

"Prior to the tornado, we were trying to do more things together," Redman said earlier this week. "When the tornado hit, it severely damaged both churches, and both had to be torn down. It was no better time to join the two congregations together."

Mark Warner, building committee chairman, said the new building cost close to $2 million. Construction began on the church on Sept. 12, 1999, on a neutral site that wasn't Salem or Faith property.

"Because of the size of the church, we really couldn't put it on (a former church) site," Warner explained.

Redman told the crowd Sunday about the trying times shortly after the tornado hit.

"The first meeting after the tornado, I'll never forget," Redman said. "We met in the basement of the bank and reviewed our insurance coverage."

Redman recalled the difficulty of holding onto the congregation shortly after the storm.

"Our two congregations were scattered," Redman said. "Many of our members had lost their homes in the tornado."

For the next two years, the congregation worshipped in a variety of locations, from Christ Lutheran Church in Stately Township to the basement of a local funeral home.

Before construction began, the church held an "inter-generational" meeting, where they asked people from all ages what they wanted to see in the new church. Almost all the designs were incorporated, Warner said.

"We built it with no steps," Warner said. "It's completely handicap accessible."

The church also features a canopy out front, a bell tower, and a large meeting area attached to the church. Also, pebbles from both former churches were added to the base of the altar in New Hope Lutheran.

"Bringing two churches together really makes it a blessing," said Loren Renberg, New Hope Council dedication committee co-chair. "We really accomplished everything (the inter-generational committee) asked for."

Wendell Fredin also commented about the beautiful interior of the church.

"This is an excellent facility," Fredin said. "It's so versatile."

Redman said he was pleased to see the church and the congregation come together.

"After two and half years without a church building, we finally have a home," he said. "This is the finishing touch of our new community, since the tornado."