A west Phoenix church is rebuilding after a woman crashed her vehicle into it.
The incident happened Thursday morning at Morning Star Sanctified Church near 39th and Dunlap avenues.
According to police, the woman lost control of her minivan, hit a light pole and crashed into the front doors of the church.
The woman fled the scene after taking her child and temporary license plate, officials said. Officers tried locating the woman after finding the car registration but instead found an empty apartment.
Pastor Barbara King said the church suffered extensive structural damage as a result of the accident.
“…Cracking the roof and the beam, this is the biggest problem,” King said. “They say the estimate is going to be $100,000.”
They’ll be unable to use the building for at least the next two months while it undergoes repairs. Fortunately, insurance will cover most of the damages but King said she does expect to pay for some out-of-pocket expenses.
“The building is nothing,” King said. “The people make the building what it is.”
However, despite the traumatic event, King explained that they still have a lot to be thankful for.
“I just thank God that no harm come to her or her child,” King said. “She’s still a person…we will do things that’s ungodly…we willing to forgive her.”
The church started a fundraiser to help pay for any damages that insurance doesn't cover.
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