Christ Church Presbyterian in Kerrville, Texas, was eager to gather on July 19 for the first worship service in its new building. Instead, the congregation must work and wait a little longer as heavy rains on July 16 flooded the flooring throughout the building.  

Water soaked the carpet in the sanctuary and damaged the laminate flooring throughout the church in the fellowship area and offices. As of July 17, professionals and volunteer crews from the church were removing the damaged flooring and drying the carpets.

The timing of the flooding is painful not just because it delays moving into the church’s new building, but because it comes just days after Kerrville marked the anniversary of the 2025 Texas flood that killed 117 people in Kerr County and neighboring counties. Christ Church Pastor Billy Crain said the anniversary of last year’s flood has been difficult for many Kerrville residents. 

“The community and faith communities worked hard to meet people where they were and care for them and seek the Lord in the midst of that,” he said. “To have this [flood] happen right after that has caused some confusion and disorientation for many people.”

Two deaths have been reported from the 2026 flooding, and emergency workers rescued residents from their vehicles, houses, and campsites. Crain said the church initially focused on cleaning out the building and caring for the needs of church members, but in the coming days he hopes the congregation can reach out to its neighbors as the cleanup continues. 

In 2024, Christ Church purchased its building, a former school, and spent more than a year turning the gym into a sanctuary and creating fellowship space and offices. Crain said that on July 17 the congregation worshiped in a local high school, as they have for years.  Because the sanctuary carpet can be salvaged, he hopes the church can move into the new building in less than two weeks. Because the vinyl flooring will need to be replaced, it will impact the church’s children’s ministry, nursery, and fall Sunday school ministry. 

“The flooding of the building at this juncture has been disappointing and discouraging.” Crain said. “At the same time, the Lord has been reminding me and my congregation that he is at work in this.” 

Anyone wishing to contribute to Christ Church Presbyterian’s cleanup effort can give on the church’s website. Crain said the church’s general fund is the best place to give.  

“We ask for prayers not just for us, but for our community, that we would continue to love our neighbors,” he said.