GRAND PRAIRIE — For the second week in a row, severe storms have torn through the region—this time leaving behind significant damage at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Grand Prairie.
Heavy equipment rolled into the parking lot at St. Peter's Catholic Church as crews began clearing debris and large chunks of cement following a powerful EF2 tornado that tore through the area.
Parishioners and volunteers spent the day assisting church leaders with cleanup efforts, working to restore the community church after the storm left behind widespread destruction. The tornado heavily damaged the church's religious center, ripping off its roof, and demolished an entire carport.
Andrea Buller, a longtime church member, was among those who quickly stepped in to help.
“I got dressed as quickly as possible and saw all our parishioners,” Buller said. “I just did what I could.”
For Buller, the damage was deeply personal.
“I have been going to this church since I was a baby,” she said. " I even got married here."
Standing amid the wreckage, remnants of the church’s roof could be seen lodged in nearby trees.
“I went home, filled a large ice chest with water, and came out to help,” Buller said. “It is heartbreaking, very heartbreaking. It's unfortunate that this has happened.”
Despite the devastation, Buller expressed gratitude for what was spared.
“Thank God it was not the church that got hit,” she said.
Just last year, the church underwent a $1 million renovation. Fortunately, the main sanctuary sustained little to no damage.
“This could have been a lot worse, I mean, a lot worse,” she said.
Church leaders say they plan to rebuild.
