ST. LOUIS – A celebration was held Sunday afternoon at Williams Temple Church of God in Christ to raise funds to help rebuild and restore St. Samuel Temple from damage sustained in the May 16 tornado.

“We've had a storm, but we're blessed to know that we're coming out,” said Pastor Donnie Moore.

The celebration featured songs, prayer, and sermon. Church leaders said they wanted to ensure the Moores and their church community have a place to go.

“Our jurisdictional prelate, Bishop Lawrence Wooten, and eastern Missouri's second western Illinois jurisdiction was very adamant about having this rebuilding service today,” Moore said.

Bishop Lawrence Wooten said coming together to lift St. Samuel up was never a question.

“It's like the scripture said, we were workers together with him and so when one hurts, we all hurt,” Wooten said. “We know that we are better together than apart.”

Julian Nicks, the city’s chief recovery and transformation officer, said he recognized the significance of repairing and rebuilding the churches that are pivotal to the community.

“Churches are pillars in community and where churches fall,” Nicks said. “That's a core institution that communities come to rely on, whether it be places that provide food, whether it's to spiritual and mental care, that whether it's the community that it provides and so getting institutions like this up are just as important.”

Renovations to the inside and outside of the building will cost $60,000, an investment that the Wooten family said is worth every penny.

“Churches are deeded in a day and time like this, and it's a beacon of light in that community and to the City of St. Louis and so we don't want the light to go out,” Wooten said. “So that's why we come together to help rebuild and refurbish what has come from the damage of the storm and we are looking forward to them being back up and running as they were before.”

Nicks said he encourages those affected by the storm to continue staying engaged and in touch with assistance services.

To donate to St. Samuel specifically, checks can be made out to St. Samuel Temple. Online donations can be made via Givelify.