New Ministry: Standing with two Tornado-Affected Neighborhoods in St. Louis

On May 16, 2025, an EF3 tornado tore through north St. Louis, leaving hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed in a path that tore through north St. Louis. These are predominantly African American communities, home to older adults and working families already facing decades of disinvestment. In the aftermath, many residents are left with houses that are unsafe, fallen trees blocking sidewalks, and little support in navigating insurance or contractors.

Unlike the well-publicized and swift federal response to Joplin’s tornado disaster in 2011, these neighborhoods have experienced slow and inadequate assistance. Federal aid was delayed more than six weeks, and many families have received little more than $700 checks while waiting in endless lines of bureaucracy. The stark difference underscores how urgently local, faith-based action is needed.

St. Martin’s is stepping forward to respond. In partnership with the Lewis Place Fountain Park Neighborhood Association and local Episcopal churches, we are launching a new ministry to provide debris removal, safety assessments, insurance navigation support, and green space restoration—while building long-term relationships rooted in justice and care. We are also seeking funding from the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri to help seed and sustain this important work, through the New Ventures in Community Ministries grant program.

I invite you to join me for a kickoff meeting on Saturday, September 14 at 12:15 p.m. in the Upper Laird Room to learn more and see how you can be part of this ministry of hope and recovery. Please let me know if you can attend by emailing me at tgallen741@gmail.com or calling/texting 314-295-3656. I look forward to sharing this vision with you and discerning together how St. Martin’s can make a difference.

Tom Allen

Ministry Leader