The Palm Beach Post
BELLE GLADE, Fla. — A year ago, Mount Zion AME Church in Belle Glade suffered a fire, suspected to be arson, which left a hole in the roof and severe damage to the sanctuary. Today, the church continues to feel the effects of having to move its congregation to a new building.
The congregation is meeting in the church’s multipurpose building for now, but wants to rebuild the sanctuary.
“We’re having to build our church from the ground up,” parishioner Maude Vereen said. “I just pray that the ones that did this to us get a changed heart. Everything that man does for bad, God turns it around for good.”
“I miss going to the altar to kneel,” she said. “But we’re surviving. We’re going to make it.”
Vereen has been a longtime friend of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue.
“She has always helped to put on dinners at the church for the local firefighters and law-enforcement officers, and visits the firehouse often just to say hello,” fire-rescue Capt. Craig Prusansky said.
Now came the time for the firefighters to return the kindness. Last month, the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of Palm Beach County made a donation of $1,000 to Mount Zion. The check was presented to Vereen and the church’s pastor, the Rev. William E. Cooper Jr., by fire-rescue District Chief Gary Burroughs.
Vereen’s daughter, Shirley Morris, died of a stroke last month at age 60. Donations to the church rebuilding fund in her memory would be greatly appreciated, Vereen said. Checks may be made payable to the Mount Zion AME Church Building Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 1688, Belle Glade, FL 33430.
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