Minot Church Still Recovering After 2011 Flood

A Minot, N.D., church that was heavily damaged by a 2011 flood is nearing completion of a multimillion renovation and building project.

Subcontractors are expected to finish wiring and plumbing in the building by the end of the year and a new, larger elevator is being installed in the church, the Minot Daily News reported. A 6,000-square-foot fellowship hall is under construction that will have a commercial kitchen with ample storage, ovens, a large pantry and increased refrigerator and freezer space.

The Souris River in June 2011 swelled with excessive rain and spring snowmelt and swamped part of Minot, damaging or destroying more than 4,000 homes and other structures and causing nearly $700 million in damage. More damage occurred in rural areas of the north central North Dakota basin.

“We’ve been saying that we’re blessed to be a blessing. With the flood, an awful thing for everyone, we were blessed by having Mission Builders come and help us,” said Allan Pearson of Christ Lutheran Church. “People we never even knew donated time and money. Now we want to be a blessing to the community. We’re looking at ways to open up the building for different functions and help the community.”

The cost of renovations and construction was initially estimated at $3 million, but the project eventually rose to about $4 million. Pearson said with no volunteer help or material donations, the true cost of rebuilding the church would be over $8 million.