Surviving Altadena church reopens after wildfires
Altadena Church reopens after Eaton Fire
Metropolitan Baptist Church is back open after the Eaton Fire, giving back to their community.
LOS ANGELES - One of the surviving churches in Altadena is back open to parishioners one month after the devastating wildfire.
Metropolitan Baptist Church held its first service last Sunday and a community giveaway on Friday.
Pastor Tyrone Skinner says thirty families from the church lost their homes. The event itself was open to the entire community.
On the mission, Josiah Bruny is behind the relief effort he calls Heal Dena. Bruny is known for his community work through his organization Music Changing Lives.
He lives in the Inland Empire but grew up in Altadena.
Bruny says he and the other volunteers and church workers are "second responders." He says Heal Dena was a community-led resource hub. It was volunteer run with donations from essentials to clothing. A crowd favorite were brand-new items from Puma. Two tables were stockpiled with everything from backpacks to socks to sports bras to workout wear. Trenton Williams is Puma's senior designer and is also from Altadena.
Just across the street from the church, on Fair Oaks and Figueroa, the wildfire devastation is ever present. Burned out homes and businesses line the side of the streets. This community is in the flats and an example of how far the fire burned below the foothills.
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The church itself was still cleaning up the 100-year-old pews and the carpets from the smell of smoke.
Parishioner Felisa Wright lost her home and one in the back, displacing twelve people. She has five kids and six grandchildren. They're currently staying at a hotel.
Despite it all, the love here is strong and present. Roxie Gilliam says they lost her mother's family home. She was there to volunteer and steer others toward the FEMA relief info. Core was also on hand with fire relief services, as was the World Central Kitchen with meals. Members of the Church of Scientology were there early to set up.
At least three of Altadena's churches burned to the ground.
You could still feel the grief from Gilliam. She says "I just love people and I want to see us get together."