Davis Community Rallies To Repair Church Destroyed During Tuesday's Storms

Tuesday night’s storm swept through Davis, Oklahoma, destroying several buildings, including the First United Methodist Church of Davis.  

The church has been in town since 1958 and for many members, seeing their home church fallen to pieces is tough.

The walls are fallen in, the roof is collapsed, and stain glass is shattered everywhere.

Pastor Steve Harshaw said the storm happened about 9:45 p.m. 

He got a call about 10 p.m. and came to see the damage.

“It’s sad because a lot of families have kids who have been baptized here. Marriages have taken place here. Funerals have taken place at this church and it’s very meaningful,” said Harshaw.

As soon as the storm passed, the Davis community rushed to help.

All Wednesday, people were cleaning up debris and salvaging anything they could. Church member and lifelong Davis resident Jeremy Fullerton said they are trying to stay positive.

“The first emotion was sadness, but in the grand scheme of things, the church is the people and it’s not the building. Nobody was injured," Fullerton said.

Fullerton said he’s never seen a storm this size blow through Davis, where he was born and raised.

Harshaw is grateful that no one was injured during the storm and even more thankful with the outpouring support from the community following the storm.

“With the daylight, comes hope,” he said.

While the church is damaged, Harshaw said they will still have service on Sunday even if it has to be outside.