ST. LOUIS – A church that took a direct hit from last week’s tornado is still finding a way to serve its community this time, from the parking lot.

“Obviously, (it’s) not expected. We did not anticipate this  crisis that we are in,” Pastor Douglass Petty said.
 
Pastor Petty of Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church said that Friday’s storms ripped through his church, leaving the roof torn off and windows shattered.

But outside in the parking lot of the church, community members are hopeful, handing out one hot plate at a time.
 
“When this happens… it paints a picture of what is really  important in the community,” Douglass said. “We understand with this building being in the shape that it’s in–it does not change the fact that church is made of good people.”

Tables were lined with warm food, water and hugs—a lifeline for families who lost nearly everything. Lisa Covington and her family are one of many impacted by the devastation of last week’s tornado.
 
Covington’s family’s home and small business—which sit side by side in north St. Louis— were destroyed in the storm.
 
“This is really devastating with my business front now destroyed,” Covington said. “It’s very sentimental; we put my mom’s picture up… never to be removed. (In) this storm, we lost everything and it’s damaged.”
 
FOX 2 followed Lisa back to the block she once called home. 

Now, it is nothing but rubble, broken memories and silence where a vibrant business once thrived.
 
“You cry about it and once again I cry about everyone that lost everything,” Covington said.
 
Petty says his church will continue to  offer—faith, food and fellowship—even from a broken church.

The church continues to serve hot meals in the parking lot and is asking for donations and volunteers to keep the effort going. 

As for Lisa, she’s holding on to her faith and the small act of kindness. 

“Even though we are going through something and helping everyone out, that’s given me the strength,” she said.