They are struggling so The Ecumenical Leadership Council of Mo—St. Louis Chapter is hosting a reception for a trio of small non-profits that are continue their respective effort of providing meals and offering accommodations for families now homeless following the May 16, 2025, tornado.
The reception will be held at 6 p.m. Friday June 27, 2025 in the Rotunda at St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market Street.
Small non-profits to be recognized at the reception include Wesley House, which has been feeding displaced residents; Annie Malone Children’s Home, which is providing a safe and secure environment for the children, and Hope House STL, which has been housing families that found themselves homeless and without home insurance (Hope House STL).
Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, Ecumenical Leadership Council president, said “Although there are many local agencies providing help during this crisis, we selected Hope House STL, Wesley House, and Annie Malone Children’s Home because of their efforts to reduce the challenges faced by those impacted by the tornado.”
“We are grateful for the help of Alderwomen Pam Boyd and Laura Keys in addition to Kelley Hoskins of KTVI for helping to bring the idea of a fundraiser to reality.”
Wooten, pastor of Williams Temple Church of God In Christ, also thanked musicians Bell Darris and the Readus Miller Project “for adding their talents to the event’s entertainment”.
Tickets will be available at the three non-profits, at the door on June 27, and by calling (314) 721-2288.
City Hall is an appropriate place for the reception because the Ecumenical Society was founded following one of St. Louis most controversial political actions.
According to the Society website, the organization was formed in response to the wrongful and racially fueled demotion of then-Fire Chief Sherman George by former Mayor Francis Slay in 2007.
George, the city’s first African American fire chief in the history of the City of St. Louis, had battled Slay over several issues including racially bias tests for promotion.
Rather than accept the demotion, George resigned the position.
The ELC was formed to “thoughtfully but aggressively address issues of racial grievances as a clergy body.”
“The thought was that pastors have both the moral authority, and the economic independence to be able to request and even demand that the system change.”
More than 700 churches with an array of denominations from throughout Missouri and the Metro East are represented by the Ecumenical Council.
Centennial Christian Church is meeting at Florissant Christian Church on Sundays for worship, according to Rev. Chris Franklin.
“[The congregation] voted Sunday to continue to worship in our building until they can rebuild in the community of their old church,” said Franklin.
“We are a sister disciple church and have a long relationship with [Centennial Christian. We exchanged elders once a month in the 70s for Communion.”
Rev. Dietra Wise Baker told the St. Louis American following the devastating May 16, 2025 tornado that insurance will cover some of the rebuilding expenses, but the church must raise most of the funds needed for the extensive demolition and reconstruction project that is expected to take at least four years.
She is steadfast that the church will not leave the Fountain Park neighborhood and will offer more community support once it is resurrected.
It will include a co-working space, a space that can be rented out for events, and a medical and affordable housing unit. Partnerships with private donors and other organizations, she believes, can help make this vision a reality.
“Affordable housing is going to be a major need now more than ever,” Wise Baker said.
The church, which is adjacent to Fountain Park, the site of the state’s only statue of Martin Luther King Jr., has served the area for decades by providing housing for seniors, healthcare assistance, and a preschool program.
Centennial is partnering with three regional and national organizations to help fund the rebuild. Disciples of Christ Pension Fund, National Benevolent Association, and the National Convocation of the Christian Church will each donate $10,000 to the church’s recovery fund.
Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) has also donated $100,000 to support both the church and the residents of Fountain Park.
Killed in the May 16 tornado was church moderator Patricia Penelton, a beloved member of the congregation and volunteer.
DeMarco Davidson, MCU executive director, and Centennial leader Sherrill Jackson were pulled from the rubble of the church. They were meeting to discuss church community engagement plans.
“Our church has always been a place of refuge, prayer, and service to the community,” said Wise Baker.
“We are heartbroken by the damage but grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the community,”
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Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.