6-month fix expected for damage caused by truck slamming into Zelienople church

Work to repair the damaged 117-year-old Park United Presbyterian Church in Zelienople could take six months once a construction contract is awarded, said the Rev. Paul Merrill, pastor.

What I understand is that they'll probably have to deconstruct the front wall all the way to the foundation and then build it back up, the pastor said.

Yet things are relatively normal after a runaway dump truck plowed into the church on July 14, he said.

The impact knocked down a large portion of the brick facade on the southwest corner of the building, warped stained-glass windows and scattered rocks and debris into the basement nursery, Merrill said.

Vacation Bible school went on as planned last week, said Amy Gilson, Bible school director, except for changing the location from the damaged church sanctuary to Park Hall, a rear fellowship hall.

The church's two Sunday morning worship services are being conducted in Park Hall as well. The pastor said about 110 people typically show up for the two services.

God is good in the midst of these kinds of things, Merrill said. Everything seems somewhat the same, except in a different building.

The accident forced about 15 food and craft vendors to relocate during Zelienople's Horse Trading Days community festival from July 17-19, said Zelienople-Harmony Chamber of Commerce Director Jennifer Ackerman.

An orange construction fence and chain-link fencing surround the work site, making part of the park beside the church unusable.

We had to cut out about half that area and relocated some crafters, Ackerman said. They usually go right up against the building and use that whole space.

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6-month fix expected for damage caused by truck slamming into Zelienople church