wfn.org | Wind Storm Hits Natchez, Miss.

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CONTACT: 	Thomas S. McAnally
(10-71B){128}
	    	Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470	March 3, 1998

Historic churches damaged
in Mississippi windstorm

by Woody Woodrick*

NATCHEZ, Miss. (UMNS) -- Tiny bits of glass could still be detected in
the carpet and several windows had no glass at all, but that didn't keep
members from packing Jefferson Street United Methodist Church here for
services March 1.
The glass and windows served as a reminder of that for which the
congregation is thankful.
Just three days earlier, a stormed ripped through this Mississippi River
city, leaving numerous buildings in its historic district damaged. Among
then were Jefferson Street and St. John United Methodist churches.
The storm hit shortly before 11 a.m. Feb. 27, but despite also hitting a
school, only minor injuries were reported. National Weather Service
officials said the damage was the result of a severe down-burst of
straight-line winds. Natchez residents called it a tornado.
Either way, the fact so few were hurt is considered a miracle.
"We had a packed house," said the Rev. Curtis Moffat, Jefferson Street
pastor. He, church secretary Helen Hutto, about 30 preschool students
and their teachers were in the building when the storm hit. Word had
gotten around the downtown area of this city of about 25,000 that a bad
storm was on the way, Moffat said. As the winds rose and trees began
falling, occupants in the church building sought shelter in hallways.
Jefferson Street Church was directly in the path of the storm as it
swept across the downtown area, where many buildings predate the Civil
War. An old fire house, now used as a residence next to the church, lost
most of its second floor. Other nearby buildings also lost roofs. A
house two blocks from the church was destroyed and another torn in half
as the winds rushed toward an elementary school. Although a wall against
which school children were huddled collapsed, injuries were minor.
Jefferson Street Church, built in the 1870s, sustained damage to its
sanctuary. A church van was overturned, windows broken and debris
scattered throughout the buildings. Moffat said all the windows in his
car were broken. Stained-glass windows in the sanctuary would have been
lost had the church not placed plastic coverings on them several years
earlier. 
The damage and injuries could have been much worse. "When it hit, we
just started putting kids in the hall," Hutto said. "The teachers were
great. They got them out in the hall and played and sang with them."
The children were kept in the hall for about 30 minutes, she said. As
people became certain the storm had passed, many members rushed to
Jefferson Street to begin cleaning.
"Within an hour's time, we had about 30 members pitching in," Moffat
said.
Meanwhile, St. John, another 1870s-era church located about three blocks
from Jefferson Street, had damage to a stained-glass window, its steeple
and roof. The Rev. J.D. Tillman, pastor, said the church was in use two
days after the storm. Most of the shingles were blown off, resulting in
water damage. In addition, the broken window allowed water to seep into
the church basement. The church steeple also shifted, dislodging bricks
and leaving a hole.
One of those leading the cleanup efforts at Jefferson Street was Richard
Edgin, chairperson of the church's board of trustees and a contractor.
Early on the morning of Feb. 27, he had crews and heavy machinery
working on the church roof. Church members also brought their own
chainsaws and heavy equipment to help clear away debris and cut down
broken limbs and trees.
Moffat had feared structural damage to the Jefferson Street roof, but a
survey by an engineer found the roof sound.
The Rev. Gary Knight, superintendent of the Brookhaven District in which
the two churches are located, said area churches immediately offered aid
to Jefferson Street and St. John. "This was a true opportunity to give
an example of the connectionism of our church," said Knight, who
attended the March 1 services.
Once people determined there were no serious injuries, the clean-up
began throughout the community. Downtown Natchez was closed off, and a
curfew was imposed that night. By the next day, most of the debris had
been cleared out of the streets. Restoring power took a bit longer. 
Other historic buildings that sustained heavy damage included two hotels
and St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, which lost eight of its 24 spires.
Early estimates of damage to the city, whose economy depends heavily on
tourists visiting its many antebellum homes, was placed at $30 million. 
Hutto might have best summed up the thoughts of church members and other
city residents alike: "We all just said 'Thank you, God.'"
#  #  #
	*Woodrick is editor of the Mississippi United  Methodist
Advocate.

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