Delmont Church Celebrates Easter, Plans Own Resurrection

DELMONT, S.D. (AP) — Members of Zion Lutheran Church in Delmont celebrated Easter in the town's community center, but they hope to be worshipping in a new church come Christmas.

The congregation's century-old church was destroyed by a May 2015 tornado that damaged or destroyed dozens of structures and injured nine people.

Head Trustee Jim Kaufman tells The Daily Republic newspaper that the final blueprint for a new church is being sent to five contractors for bids. The goal is to start construction sometime next month.

Kaufman says parishioners never considered not rebuilding. He says six generations of his family have attended Zion Lutheran.

Kaufman also says that with insurance money and donations providing the necessary resources, it's a "no-brainer" to rebuild.