Joplin church destroyed by tornado breaks ground

— After a May 2011 tornado destroyed Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin, the congregation vowed it would not be the end of their church.

On Sunday, more than 19 months later, the congregation gathered at the site of the old building to break ground for their new church.

The Joplin Globe reported that seven members of the church, representing different generations, helped break ground at the ceremony.

The congregation plans to open the new $1 million church by the end of the year.

The church’s members have been meeting at Bethany Presbyterian Church since the tornado.

The church’s secretary, Sarah Jo Radcliffe, says no members left the church because of the tornado.

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