Jacksonville church rebuilds with FEMA grant after March 2023 tornado

Pastor Eddie Miller prepares to reopen the New Commandment Church of God in Christ in Jacksonville. Construction is finishing on the new sanctuary. It will be ready just in time for the holidays, Miller said.

An EF-3 tornado struck on March 31, 2023. It destroyed the original building on School Drive.

“I remember driving down School Drive that day and when I got to the corner, the church was no more, and it was a shock,” Miller said. “When we walked into the sanctuary from one side to the other it was crashed in.”

Three crosses hung on the back wall. They remained untouched by the storm damage.

Miller first hung those crosses in 2008. That was the year he founded the church.

“That was the thing that gave us the most hope,” Miller said.

Miller said those three crosses led to three miracles. Food and clothing donations continued without pause. The ministry held its regular service every third Saturday of the month.

“Even though we had no building, we had the ability to still serve the community,” Miller said.

A second gift came from Cabot Pinnacle Structure. The donor provided a nearly 15,000-square-foot building shell.

“The gentleman in Cabot said I tell you what we are going to do, I want to give you a building, I was in total complete shock,” Miller said.

The gift consisted only of the exterior framing. The church bought land cattycorner to the original site. Workers needed to finish the interior completely.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provided a grant worth $1.65 million. The funds paid to level the new building site. Money also bought paint, hardware, air conditioning and electrical equipment.

Miller said the FEMA team sat under a tree on the property. Representatives spent hours helping the congregation navigate the recovery steps.

“As soon as we are finished here those three crosses will hang on that wall, on the back wall again,” Miller said.

The site offers more Sunday school space. Miller said the word “community” will join the Jacksonville church name.

Classrooms will host students after school. The church built an on-site pantry for food and clothing distributions.

An outdoor bathroom and shower will serve unsheltered people. Guests can ring a bell to alert a leader for access.

The FEMA Public Assistance program provides grants to community organizations and local governments. These funds help repair or replace facilities damaged during declared disasters. Rebuilding projects must meet state and federal standards.

Supporters can message the church Facebook page to arrange donations. Leaders will share construction updates and reopening dates online.