Church going strong after Ike

September 28, 2008 09:57 pm

— Only twice in the more than 200-year history of the First Baptist Church of Orange, located at 5th Street and Green Avenue, has gone without a church service on Sunday.
According to the pastor, Barry Bradley, they were were cancelled following hurricanes Rita and Ike.
The church began in 1883 at the current location and built the current structure in 1914. Since then, church members have faithfully attended the growing congregation. As it was for many other structures in Orange, the flood waters caused the most damage. Four out of the church’s five buildings were damaged as a result of the water.
Church members have responded positively and are now attending services at Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School. Normally there are two services, but they have been blended into one service. Services are at 11 a.m.
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“This is a great venue for us,” Bradley said.
Church officials are unsure when they will return to the Green Avenue site. The church was without flood insurance. However, in April the members voted to move to a different site on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
“We are looking at the best way to move forward,” Bradley said.
Bradley said the people’s spirit overall is very positive. He added the congregation seems to be very resillient.
“Worship attendance is strong, if not even a little larger,” Bradley said.
However, Bradley want to shift the focus somewhat.
“Our desire is not to focus on us, but to the people needing help,” Bradley said.
Many people, including church members, received significant damages as a result of the hurricane.
“Our goal is to help those people,” Bradley said.