After much consideration, Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church leaders began demolishing their building a few weeks ago.

In May, the tornado ripped off its roof, tore off some sides of the building and blew out the windows of the church in the Greater Ville neighborhood. The damage would have cost the church about $15 million to repair, but its insurance policy only covered about $4 million worth of damage.

The congregation relocated in May to First Presbyterian Church in Ferguson. Cote Brilliante’s pastor, Douglass Petty, has been talking to the members about demolishing the church since they moved to help prepare the congregants for the loss.

Cote Brilliante will always be an integral part of the community, but change is inevitable, Petty said.

“At this point, you can always reference

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