DELTAVILLE, VA. (AP) — The fearsome tornadoes that swept across the South wiped out some houses of worship along with homes and businesses.
Pastors and church members say that won't stop them from celebrating Easter, the holiest day of the year for Christians.
Church buildings were damaged or destroyed in Oklahoma, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Virginia.
Zoar Baptist Church in Deltaville, Va. lies in ruins. Pastor John Snow says the church will have its Easter service outdoors, joined by other local churches. It may turn out to be the largest Easter service in the congregation's 203-year history.
Churches across the region have been serving as centers of relief efforts, including some that suffered damage.
Boston University Professor Nancy Ammerman says religious communities are particularly well-suited to recover quickly from disasters.
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.