JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Victory Holiness Church doesn't hold service on Sunday. But even if it did, members would have to find another house of worship.
An accident Saturday caused a driver to spin out of control and smashed her SUV into the church's sanctuary. The impact was so great that it knocked the building's foundation out of alignment.
According to police, an 81-year-old driver was struck on the left side of her vehicle by a truck crossing the intersection. Both drivers suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Tommy Jones' spirits are high. His organ is busted and cinder blocks are scattered throughout his pews but the pastor remains positive.
"Kind of bothered you a little bit but I know the Lord take care of everything," said Pastor Jones.
"This is a piece of Dinsmore history and it's tied to my grandpa and this was my first job here sweeping the floor the store here," said Steve Guntner.
The building is considered a landmark to folks in the Dinsmore community of Northwest Jacksonville. Built in 1957, it started as a locally-owned, family-operated grocery store. This isn't the first time a car has jeopardized the building's structure. Steve's mom was working the cash register when a car collided into the store front about 18 years ago. Residents say the intersection in front of the church needs a traffic light.
"There probably needs to be more safety precautions, traffic lights, some more warnings of the intersection that is coming up," said Guntner.
A flashing yellow, red light hangs over the intersection of Old Kings Rd. and Trout River, but area residents say that's not enough.
"A lot of times people get confused with that flashing light, then a red. I think if it had a red light it would be a lot safer," said Pastor Jones.
As for church on Tuesday, Pastor Jones will find a way to infuse the damaged infrastructure into his sermon. "I always wait and the Lord gives it to me before my next service."
The building's owner says she will pay to repair the south wall before Tuesday's service.
