S. Seaville United Methodist Church Plans To Rebuild Using Local Carpenters, Labor

SOUTH SEAVILLE — Congregants of the South Seaville United Methodist Church hope to be thinking heavenly and acting locally when it comes to rebuilding.
A pile of rubble now sits where the church once stood. A June 10 fire destroyed the historic building.
When it comes to rebuilding, “It’s all about the local people and their spirit,” said the church’s pastor, Rev. Thomas Perry sitting in a trailer, which now serves as the church’s office. “There will be craftsmen from this community who will rebuild this church.”
For Perry, rebuilding the church has special meaning. Prior to joining the ministry, Perry was an ironworker.
“I’m blue collar through and through,” he said. He shared that a few years ago, he officiated at the funerals of several construction workers who had been killed on a job site.
“I received a call from the union,” he said, “they had heard that I am a former ironworker. They said to me, “It was ironworkers who carried them out (of the rubble) and an ironworker is going to bury them.”
Using local talent for rebuilding is something Perry is adamant about. “We need men of God to build churches, not businesses,” he said. “We are people in the community and we need to support this community. Big businesses take money out of a community.”
The minister recalled the master craftsmen who have worshipped at the church. Hilde Reeves, a master carpenter, passed away during Perry’s first year as leader of the church.
“Hilde told me to go visit Gideon Shaw,” said Perry. “He hadn’t been to church in 23 years.” Shaw finally did make it to services and became a member. “He said he was afraid to come to church. He said he was afraid if he came, the church would burn down.” Ironically, Shaw passed away two days after the church fire. Two trees have been planted on the front property as a memorial to him.
Losing his church has given Perry new insight into God’s plan for him. “For the first time in my life I am feeling invigorated. I understand why God gave me the first half of my life. I understand why God gave me those experiences.”
Perry is looking at a completion date of Christmas 2012. “I am praying for Christmas 2012,” he said, although the Pitman United Methodist Church, which burned down in 2003, took three and a half years to rebuild. Perry, however, remains optimistic.
“I know this community,” said Perry. “The people in Dennis Township are rallying for us. I believe in this community. I know there are people whom I haven’t even met yet who will be here.”