St. John the Evangelist Church in Emory destroyed in tornadoes that swept East Texas last night

Reprinted with permission from Diocese of Tyler

EMORY – St. John The Evangelist Church in Emory was destroyed by one of the tornadoes that ripped across East Texas the evening of April 29. About 45 people were sheltering in the parish hall some 10 feet away from the church during the storm, but no injuries were reported.

Mass was held outside the church April 30, with parishioners gathering “in prayer and gratitude,” according to St. John’s Facebook page.

St. John is a small parish of about 150 families in Rains County. The Catholic community formed in 1994, and was named a parish in 2013.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that four tornadoes hit East Texas Saturday night, though more may be confirmed as information is collected. Van Zandt and Henderson Counties were hardest hit, according to local press reports.

Five deaths have been confirmed, and at least 45 people were injured. Local law enforcement is conducting door-to-door search efforts in hardest-hit areas.

Numerous homes and other structures were damaged or destroyed.

Displacement centers have been set up in local churches, and the Red Cross has opened shelters in First Methodist Church Life Center, 600 S. Buffalo, in Canton and the Emory City Center, 735 Texas Street North, Emory. The Sears Home Store in Canton has been designated an animal shelter for those who need a safe place for pets.

The Red Cross has set up a website for those looking for loved ones in affected areas or those seeking to let loved ones know they are safe. See the website here.

Information on St. John damage estimates, as well as relief efforts, will be updated as it comes. Please watch the website, as well as the diocesan Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, for that information. The St. John website is here.

Please keep the parishioners of St. John and all affected by the storms in your prayers.