A new church has broken ground in the Texas town of Sutherland Springs six months after a gunman killed more than two dozen people during a Sunday service.
Sherri Pomeroy of First Baptist Church said Saturday’s groundbreaking was held on the six-month anniversary of the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history to “celebrate the lives that our friends and family lived.”
Pomeroy’s husband is the pastor of the church where Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire. Their 14-year-old daughter was among those killed. Authorities put the official death toll at 26 because one of the 25 people killed was pregnant.
The San Antonio Express-News reports that community members reiterated during the weekend ceremony that no victims’ funds would be used for construction of the new $3 million church.
Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church is preparing to break ground on a new sanctuary 6 months after losing dozens of members in a tragic shooting. Today also serves as a celebration of those precious lives. #kens5eyewitness pic.twitter.com/d5vdPIhjzJ
— Leah Durain (@LeahDurain) May 5, 2018
The dirt is turned! Pastors, survivors, victim's family members and special guests from first responders to @tedcruz participated in the ceremony. #kens5eyewitness #SutherlandSprings #FBC pic.twitter.com/xdK4L7IhAA
— Leah Durain (@LeahDurain) May 5, 2018
These are the survivors and the family remembers of 26 lives lost six months ago in Sutherland Springs. @SpecNewsATX @SpecNewsSA pic.twitter.com/lzMibb45wN
— Reena Jade Diamante (@reenajade) May 5, 2018
What a privilege to stand alongside our friends at First Baptist Church Sutherland Springs, Texas today as they broke ground on a new building. #SouthernBaptistFamily pic.twitter.com/xJFzD4DlBT
— NAMB (@NAMB_SBC) May 5, 2018
"We are the survivors of #SutherlandSprings and evil will not overcome good" pic.twitter.com/JtUfi6eFSa
— KSAT Max Massey (@MaxMasseyTV) May 5, 2018