Carthage Churches Rally to Rebuild After Tornado Destroys Historic African American Church

When an EF-2 tornado tore through Carthage on the evening of June 19, it destroyed homes, businesses, and civic buildings across a three-mile path. But for this Jasper County community of approximately 15,000, the most heartbreaking loss was the total destruction of Mount Olive Baptist Church, a 112-year-old African American church that had served as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone of Carthage's Black community since 1914.

But in the weeks since the storm, the response from Carthage's faith community — across racial and denominational lines — has become a powerful story of unity, resilience, and the enduring strength of shared faith.

The Storm

The tornado, rated EF-2 with winds of approximately 135 mph, touched down at approximately 7:15 p.m. on June 19 and cut a path of destruction through the southern part of Carthage. It destroyed or severely damaged 34 homes and several businesses before lifting approximately 12 minutes later.

Mount Olive Baptist Church, a modest brick building on W. Chestnut Street, took a direct hit. The sanctuary roof was torn off, the front wall collapsed, and the interior was destroyed by wind and water. The church's handmade stained-glass windows — installed by the original congregation in 1918 — were shattered beyond repair.

"I've been the pastor here for 23 years," said Pastor Robert L. Williams. "I've married couples here. I've baptized children here. I've buried the dead here. To see it reduced to rubble — I can't describe what that felt like. It was like losing a member of my family."

The congregation of approximately 85 members gathered the following Sunday in the parking lot of the destroyed church, sitting on folding chairs in the rubble, and held worship services anyway.

"The building is gone," Pastor Williams told his congregation that morning. "But the church is not a building. The church is us. And we are still here."

A Community Responds

Within hours of the tornado, offers of help began pouring in from churches across Carthage — from congregations that Mount Olive had never formally partnered with, across denominational and racial lines.

First Baptist Church of Carthage, a predominantly white congregation located less than a mile from Mount Olive, was the first to reach out. Senior Pastor David Sappington offered Mount Olive the use of First Baptist's fellowship hall for Sunday services and midweek activities, free of charge, for as long as needed.

"Brother Robert is my brother in Christ," Pastor Sappington said. "When one part of the body hurts, the whole body hurts. It doesn't matter what color we are or what denomination we belong to. We're family, and family takes care of each other."

Within days, the response expanded. St. Ann's Catholic Church offered to host a joint fundraising dinner. Fairview Christian Church organized a volunteer work crew to help clear debris from the Mount Olive property. Calvary Assembly of God donated $5,000 from its benevolence fund. First Presbyterian Church launched a donation drive that collected building supplies, furniture, and hymnals.

"We've had churches call us that I didn't even know existed in Carthage," Pastor Williams said. "Catholic, Assembly of God, Presbyterian, Church of Christ — it didn't matter. They just said, 'How can we help?' That's the body of Christ. That's what it's supposed to look like."

The Rebuilding Effort

A coalition of Carthage churches has formed the "Rebuild Mount Olive" committee, chaired by Carthage First United Methodist pastor Tracy Williams (no relation to Pastor Robert Williams). The committee has set a goal of raising $450,000 to rebuild the church — a figure that includes a new sanctuary, fellowship hall, and the recreation of the historic stained-glass windows.

"As of today, we've raised $287,000," Pastor Tracy Williams said. "That's from individual donations, church collections, grants, and community fundraisers. We've had donations from people in Carthage who have never set foot in Mount Olive. We've had donations from churches in Joplin, Springfield, and as far away as Kansas City. It's been overwhelming."

In addition to financial support, the rebuilding effort has drawn volunteer labor from across the region. Habitat for Humanity of Jasper County has committed to coordinating construction volunteers, and several local contractors have offered to donate labor or materials.

"We hope to break ground by September," Pastor Tracy Williams said. "And we hope to have the new building dedicated by Easter 2027. That would be appropriate — a resurrection."

A Story of Unity

For Pastor Robert Williams, the response has been a testament to the power of faith to bridge divisions. "Sometimes people talk about Sunday morning being the most segregated hour in America," Williams said. "And there's truth to that. But what I've seen in the last three weeks tells a different story. When the storm hit, nobody asked what color we were. Nobody asked what denomination we were. They just showed up. That's the gospel in action."

Mount Olive Baptist Church was founded in 1914 by a group of formerly enslaved families who had settled in Carthage after the Civil War. The original building was constructed by hand by the founding congregation, using locally fired brick. The church served as a community gathering place, a site for civil rights meetings in the 1960s, and a refuge during times of crisis.

"The history of that church can't be replaced," Pastor Williams said. "The original stained glass, the handmade pews, the cornerstone laid by our founders — those things are gone. But the spirit of Mount Olive is alive. And it's going to keep going."

What Happens Next

Mount Olive Baptist Church is currently holding Sunday services at First Baptist Church's fellowship hall. Midweek Bible study is held at Fairview Christian Church. The congregation has grown by 12 new members since the tornado.

"Something about going through a storm brings people together," Pastor Williams said with a smile. "We've got new faces every week. People want to be part of what God is doing here."

Donations to the Rebuild Mount Olive fund can be made through the Carthage Community Foundation. Pastor Tracy Williams urged anyone who wants to help — financially or as a volunteer — to contact the foundation.

"This is bigger than one church," Tracy Williams said. "This is about a community coming together. This is about showing the world what faith looks like when it's put into action."