North Nashville churches sustain damage but keep on giving

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church on Monroe Street in North Nashville is rebuilding for a second time.

After the 1998 tornado hit, Hopewell rebuilt. Twenty-two years later, it faces the same reality. With 100 years of tradition, Hopewell is a piece of Nashville history.

"The church is not in the building," long-time congregant Cloreace Eppenger who started going to Hopewell in the 70s, said. "We appreciate having the building, but church is more in the people, and you can’t take that away from us."

Down the street, Mount Carmel suffered damage as well, but even as they need help, they have committed to helping others, running a supply drive in front of the church and stacking up supplies inside almost to the ceiling.

"What's best right now is to reach out. If we don't know what you need, we can't help," Stacy Campbell who runs Mt. Carmel with her husband, Bishop Marcus Campbell, said. "My husband said we're not going to stop until there's no longer a need."

In North Nashville, the destruction has engendered a time of hope -- one that strengthens bonds in a community where strangers become family by helping each other recover.

"Parable of the good Samaritan. Find a need and fill it," Pastor Curtis Bryant, who has also offered up his church as a donation center and temporary food kitchen, said. "God said get some groceries, some charcoal. Go to the church, you've got two grills."

What is still needed in cleaning supplies and items like hand sanitizer as many people with damaged homes will not have water or similar supplies there.

Even churches that sustained damage have stepped up to help. That spirit is inspiring hope in their neighbors.