The Salem United Methodist church was severely damaged April 25.
Members of the congregation said that a log truck was traveling along state Route 219 and headed toward Dubois when it lost control. The truck skidded off the roadway, and its logs barreled into the church.
Sonya Fetterhoff, a member of the church, said that the accident damaged the church so severely that it had to be demolished.
“It was awful. I got the phone call, saying that a truck was lying in our driveway here. My husband and I came out here, and when we saw this, it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what happened?'” said Fetterhoff.
Fetterhoff said that it was a tough decision to tear down the church, but it was the best decision. On Tuesday afternoon, demolition crews began tearing down the church.
“I feel the way that it came down, it was very unsafe. If there was a snow load on it this winter, it would have fell down on its own,” said excavator Dave Roman.
Fetterhoff said that the past year has been an emotional roller coaster for members of the congregation. Fetterhoff said that the church has been in its location since the 1940s. After the accident, 60 to 80 people were left without a church.
While the Salem United Methodist Church has not been available for services since May, Fetterhoff said that two other local churches have welcomed members from the church. Even though times have been tough, there is positive news.
The church is rebuilding.
“A lot of people wanted to see the church put back in the same location. We decided on a new location to get it out of harm’s way,” said David Radaker, who is another congregation member.
Members of the congregation showed WJAC-TV the church’s new location, a few hundred feet from its former location. It will sit further away from SR 219.
“It is very joyful knowing that we are going to be able to rebuild and start over all new again. Hopefully, we can carry the faith that has been with this church to our new church,” said Radaker.
The new church is not going to be cheap.
Radaker told WJAC-TV that the new church is going to cost at least $500,000 to rebuild. In an effort to defray the costs of the new church, there are several fundraisers going on.
The church is selling Christmas bulbs and a game of chance for a quilt. There will also be a spaghetti dinner sometime in May.
The church is also accepting monetary donations. Fetterhoff and Radaker said that any amount would greatly help.
Ground-breaking for the new church is expected to be in early April. Fetterhoff hopes that the church will be ready for use by September 8.