THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) -
Families are back in their homes after the roof of a Thomasville church collapsed. Around 3:00 PM Saturday, St. Thomas AME's roof caved in, causing increased pressure on the walls. Three home were evacuated in fear the bell tower would fall on a nearby transformer.
John Coleman was doing work in his back yard Saturday afternoon when the roof of St. Thomas AME Church come tumbling down.
"Sounded like a little slight boom when it started dropping down in the middle, and beforehand you could already hear it start cracking a little bit, you could walk by and hear it cracking," Coleman said.
Officials were concerned about the bell tower falling on nearby a transformer.
"That was their main problem because they felt it was going to fall back on the wires and stuff and hurt somebody so that is why they were concerned," said Coleman.
Three homes were evacuated on Webster street, including Coleman. He and his mother had no choice but to leave.
"When we had to evacuate out that is the main thing that bothered her, having to leave her home like that," said Coleman.
But Coleman says even though it was an inconvenience, he appreciates the city looking out for the welfare of the nearby residents.
Thankfully the church was empty and no one was hurt. The congregation had to abandon the building in January because it was deemed unsafe due to extensive structural problems.
The historic building was demolished yesterday, a sad day for the entire community who grew up attending church there.
"It is a sad thing but as long as the people are here, the church is nothing but a building for a gathering place, so it is still here," said Coleman.
For now, the congregation will continue to hold services at a nearby church and waiting to see if they can rebuild on the property which is still the home of so many memories.
The St. Thomas AME Church was over 144 years old and was a state and national historic building. It is the oldest African American Church in Thomasville.
The father of the first black cadet, Lieutenant Henry Flipper, who graduated from West Point was member of St. Thomas and eventually became a Bishop of the Connectional Church.
The congregation was formed in the 1800's, before they even had a building.
People would gather on the property and pray. "The church is actually a brush arbor church, which means before there was an edifice to actually worship in, the congregation worshiped outside on the property," said St. Thomas trustee and historian Melanee C. Hill.
With the demolition, the church has come full circle.
They might not have a structure but they still have a strong congregation.
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"You could walk by and hear it cracking," John Coleman said.
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