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Rush's Church Could Reopen for Holidays After Storm Damaged Main Windows

By Sam Cholke | November 18, 2014 5:01pm | Updated on November 18, 2014 5:36pm
 The congregation of Beloved Community Christian Church is hoping to repair damage and be back in the church by the end of December.
Beloved Community Christian Church
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ENGLEWOOD — Congressman Bobby Rush’s congregation is hoping to be back in Beloved Community Christian Church in time for the holidays after high winds shattered three large stained-glass windows.

Three large sections of the original windows were blown into the main sanctuary early in the morning on Oct. 31 and shattered across the pews.

The church has been open to the elements since as temperatures plunged, which after a chilly Nov. 2 service pushed the congregation out of the smaller side chapel in the church at 6340 S. Harvard Ave.

“We should be back soon,” Sam Anderson, a deacon at the Gothic church, said Tuesday. “I think the pastor has a plan.”

Rush is expected to return to the church where he is pastor on Wednesday as crews start boarding up the holes before they can decide what to do with the three gaping holes in the sanctuary.

Early reports put the price tag at between $1 million for a full restoration and $125,000 to put up cinderblocks similar to the other windows that have been damaged during the church’s 85-year history.

“We talked about doing it that way,” Anderson said of the cinderblocks, adding that the other remaining original panels also need extra protection now.

The church is currently trying to raise funds to restore the windows. Anderson said he did not know how much had been raised so far.

Rush was unavailable for comment.

“He wants to get this done,” Anderson said.

The congregation has temporarily moved to Rev. Leslie Sanders’ Hope Presbyterian Church of Chicago at 1354 W. 61st St.

For more information about how to donate, call the church at 773-651-5683.

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