MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — A Baldwin County church is picking up the pieces after an EF-1 tornado blew through the property Sunday morning.
Northside Baptist Church Interim Pastor Mike Whelan and several church members say it's devastating to look at the damage from Sunday's tornado, but the timing was a blessing.
The tornado hit around 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning which was just an hour and a half before more than 100 people would have gathered for Sunday school.
"It looked like a war zone," Danny Langford said.
"Like a bomb went off," Ensey Willis said.
The tornado blew the steeple off the churches roof and landed about 30 feet away.
Trees toppled throughout the property, flying debris tore through the playground and high winds blew off part off the roofing and siding.
The worst damage was at the adult senior hall.
The tornado took out the whole wall of the building where 15 senior adults would have been meeting for Sunday School about an hour and half from the time the tornado hit.
"Not to be morbid, but I don't think they would be here if they had been so it's a real blessing," Whelan said.
The building is draped with tarps.
Inside, installation and parts of the ceiling scattered on the ground and wires hanging from the ceiling. Still on the floor, Bible study books and brochures were soaked from the rain and concrete bricks scattered around the back.
"Sometimes you ask yourself what God is trying to teach you through this. There's lessons to be learned -- to be appreciative of life and of each other," Whelan said.
Since Sunday, church members have volunteered their time, picking up the fallen trees, branches, and debris and mopping the floors.
Whelan says this goes to show people come together in the tough times.
Members say they're going to come back even stronger.
The church isn't letting the storm damage hold them back. They're set to have a prayer service Wednesday.
They'll have a normal schedule Sunday with Sunday School at 9 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.