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Wisconsin Church Considers Expansion Following Tornado
SIREN, WI (July 20, 2001) - A month after a tornado devastated a small town in northwest Wisconsin, Siren Covenant Church has discovered more extensive structural damage than originally anticipated. That has not distracted parishioners from pushing forward to help their neighbors recover, however.
"We're picking things up and putting things back together," said Siren Covenant Church pastor Mark Swenson said concerning the June 18 tornado that hit Siren. "There's a bell tower that sits on top of the sanctuary and it's not repairable. And a sidewall of the sanctuary is pulled away about 10 inches. Structurally there isn't any danger, but a 10-inch bow is a lot. The insurance adjusters say that they need to completely remove the roof, construct a new one and straighten out the wall. It looks like somewhere between $40,000 and $60,000."
The church has accepted 13 new members and sanctuary expansion is being considered, rather than simply completing immediate repairs. Insurance settlement proceeds from the tornado damage may be applied towards an expansion project. "One parishioner said that our church is like an expectant mother with two children living in a one-bedroom house," said Swenson. "But the Holy Spirit is moving here and that's exciting. In fact, there's a spirit of unity in all of the area churches."
The tornado's fury at one point seemed like it could completely demolish the town. One family lost their home, two couples lost garages and the business of one parishioner was destroyed. The family that lost their home will move into a rental house. The business owner is running her
business out of her home.
Police Chief Dean Rolland and his wife operate a local bed and breakfast. Despite losing their garage, their business remains popular. Rolland's quick work in alerting neighbors is credited with saving numerous lives the night the tornado hit. Siren's tornado alert system didn't work and Rolland drove around Siren to warn people to seek safe shelter.
Swenson said that much of the town's infrastructure will need rebuilding. Many businesses are considering renovating or adding to existing structures. "The business community is really seizing the opportunity to make building changes to this town and a lot of cleanup has been done," he said.
The Firstar bank of Siren has received $300,000 in donations since the tornado struck. That money has been used to help those losing homes and property. Siren Covenant Church has received around $5,000. Government disaster aid is available, but some people had no insurance. Swenson and others ask for prayer that Christ will be evident in helping people cope with the post-tornado stress.
Another Covenant Church, Calvary Covenant Church in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, also was affected by the tornado. One family in the congregation lost the roof of their home, along with a barn and garage and other buildings on the small farm. The church asks for prayer during
the building reconstruction and for healing for an illness in the family.
Siren Covenant Church is located in downtown Siren, a town of 900 people located northeast of the Twin Cities. The church, which was founded in 1911, has an average attendance of 60 to 70 people, situated in a resort town. For more information, contact Siren Covenant Church at 715-349-5601 or Calvary Covenant Church pastor Doug McConnell at 715-689-2541.
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