Damage at Central Lutheran

Here is the article from Central Lutheran's website and pictures of the damage:

Tornadic winds do damage at Central

Historic steeple damaged; Outdoor food venues destroyed

A rare downtown tornado passed close enough to Central this afternoon to completely destroy the two outdoor food venues set up for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, The Carillon Cafe and Pub Central. The winds came quickly and swiftly at about 2:00 p.m. today. There were no public events in session at Central when the tornado passed. The Assembly was in legislative session across the street at the Minneapolis Convention Center. There were about 75 persons inside Central when the storm struck. They were all ushered safely to the Lower Narthex by Central's security team. There were no injuries.

The Carillon Cafe had served nearly 800 persons the last two days and Pub Central was full last evening for its opening day. Those hospitality offerings to guests of the Assembly are canceled. The Great Lutheran "Potluck Favorites" Supper, scheduled for Thursday, previously to be served from the North Plaza, will now take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. The supper immediately precedes the National Lutheran Choir Hymn Festival at Central, beginning at 8:00 p.m. All other Assembly week events at Central will go ahead as planned.

The Lutherans Concerned North America Eucharist will take place as scheduled tonight at 7:30 p.m.

"We give thanks to God that no one was injured by today's tornado," said the Rev. Rick Nelson, Central's senior pastor. "I also thank God for the extreme talent and seemingly endless energies of our magnificent staff, particularly all related to events, security, and maintenance around this place; and also the Convention Center catering staff who’ve been scrambling outside to make for safe and clean passage. All of them are wonderful servants of God, and faithful practitioners of grace."

Photos by Joe Bjordal

---Katie