Transit vehicle strikes Trinity Church, damaging awning

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Tragedy struck Tuesday at Trinity Church of the Nazarene when a large transit vehicle, too tall to fit, crashed into the church’s awning.

The awning collapsed and shattered the front lobby windows. A church member was inside at the time, putting the final touches on a play set to take place this weekend. We spoke with the wife of the member who was present during the crash.

“Who would just not take responsibility for their actions? And just stand up,” Tracie Edwards, drama director and church member, said. “This church gives so much back to the community. We do mobile markets. We have free Wi-Fi for anyone who needs it. We have our food pantry. Ah, we just do so much.”

The church has mentioned how thousands of cars have traveled underneath this awning to get food from their mobile food distributions and now members are distraught.

“I’m gutted. I’m like we need the overhang. It’s so sad! When we do the mobile market, we do that every month on the fourth Tuesday of the month,” Traci Forister, church member said. “And then we have two lines that run through the car lot, but one line actually goes under there.”

Church member Matt Forister said people have hit the awning before.

“We were shocked, but people need to be more respectful. At least stop and give their information,” he said.

A member told us the church is already stretched thin from funding their food pantry and children’s mission trips, they’re unsure if they can afford the deductible to repair the overhang.

Despite the damage, the church’s drama director confirmed that their play, “Cheaper By the Dozen,” will go on as scheduled this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets and to support their rebuilding efforts, call 314-838-8820.

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