Katy church ravaged by Hurricane Harvey restored

KATY – Members of the Church on the Rock in Katy are taking in the word of God in their rebuilt building months after rain from Hurricane Harvey filled the church with 2 feet of water.

"God does provide in ways that we can't even imagine," John Harbert, a parishioner at the church said. "This church is a better church now then it was before the flood." 

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Four months have passed since Hurricane Harvey-fueled rains flooded the city of Houston and surrounding counties.

READ THE ORIGINAL REPORT: Katy pastor returns to church for first time since Harvey devastated area 

The church was hit hard. Rescue boats helped Houstonians escape what appeared to be a lake of hurricane water.

"They could not imagine the devastation and damage. no one can even fathom the power of water, what it can do," Pastor Jorge Cardenas said.

The church wasn't spared.

KSAT 12 was with Pastor Cardenas and his wife as they assessed the damage for the first time.

"We had to cut about 4 feet of sheet rock through the whole building, then take out insulation and then take all that debris out and then shock the building with chemicals," Cardenas explained. 

Shortly after gutting the building of Hurricane damages, Pastor Cardenas, parishioners, even total strangers from all over the country went to work to repair the damage.

"It was a feeling of being restored, being renewed, optimism and hope," Cardenas said.

52 days later, on October 8, they were back in their building with a renewed sense of faith.

While the rebuilding process at the church and all across the city of Houston continues, Pastor Cardenas said the damage and destruction has really helped them focus on whats important in life.


About the Authors:

Reporter, proud Houstonian, U of H alumni, and lover of all the hometown sport teams.