East Cleveland church devastated by crash involving RTA bus
EAST CLEVELAND (WJW) – A church with a mission of serving its community now needs help after their building was severely damaged during a crash involving an RTA bus.
The driver and several passengers on the bus were taken to University Hospitals, but authorities say they should all be OK.
The damage is overwhelming as members look at what is left of the True and Living God Apostolic Faith Church on Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland.
They are all feeling thankful this didn’t happen on a Sunday morning.
“That’s where I sit. That’s where my dad, who is a Bishop, he sits there. My mom… everything that is in this frame here, everyone would have been affected by that impact,” said the pastor’s wife, Angela Carpenter
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“I’m still in disbelief at the damage. All of our equipment, everything is just damaged and I’m stunned. I’m still stunned,” said Pastor Robert Carpenter.
According to an RTA spokesperson, around 2 a.m. Friday morning, an RTA bus was traveling on Euclid Avenue when a vehicle crossed the center line, hit the bus and careened into the building.
“When we got down here, it’s actually a lot worse (much worse) than what we thought,” said the pastor’s wife.
Pastor Carpenter and his wife Angela say they started this church about two years ago.
“We received a calling from the Lord to come into East Cleveland to operate a ministry for this community, for the residents here, to do outreach. Clothing, food, minister, offer prayer,” he said.
The damage to the church is extensive inside and out. A wheel from the car and other vehicle parts litter the area in front of the building. Parts of the car and the bus remain inside the sanctuary.
All day, members and residents stopped by to offer prayers and support.
“I’m sad because we know we’re not going to be back in this structure, you know, because this is where we did our outreach at, but I know a church is not a building, it’s us, so wherever we go, we’re still going to do the same job that God asked us to do,” said member Donald Taylor.
“If you look and see, a lot of where the debris is, where the window of the actual bus, is where I sit, where my daughter sits, where my son sits,” said member Raishawn Taylor.
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“We thank God that it happened on a Friday and not a Sunday, filled with saints and we’re just going to be rejoicing in the Lord,” said member Anastatia Love, who is also the daughter of the Carpenters.
Pastor and Mrs. Carpenter say they have faith that this setback to their ministry will be followed by a comeback.
“He didn’t win, our faith remains strong. Greater is coming for us,” said Angela Carpenter.
“What the Devil meant for evil, God is turning around for good,” said Pastor Carpenter.
The pastor and his wife say this incident will not stop them. The church belongings are insured and they plan to continue holding services at their home.
East Cleveland police say RTA is handling the crash investigation. There’s no word on whether any charges were filed related to the crash.
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