Patricia Penelton

Major damage at Centennial Christian Church near Fountain Park in St. Louis was visible Saturday after a powerful tornado hit the area.

Centennial Church members say goodbye to tornado-stricken building, but keep ministries alive

Andrea Y. Henderson

Centennial Christian Church in Fountain Park will be demolished in the next few weeks. It’s one of the worship centers in north St. Louis that was destroyed by the May tornado.

From left: Shervelle Taylor, Shelly Penelton, Amorey Taylor (child), Alexis Penelton Dennard, Harry Alexander Penelton III, Tamarah Clark and Stacy Clark attend a garden dedication at the Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. All are members of Patricia Penelton's family — Patricia was a longtime church mother at Centennial Christian Church in Fountain Park who died in the May 16 St. Louis tornado.

Health, Science & Environment

Eden Theological Seminary dedicates community garden to late St. Louis tornado victim

Lacretia Wimbley

Patricia Penelton, 74, worked as a volunteer at the seminary’s community garden for the last seven years, helping to grow collard and mustard greens, kale, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, carrots and various herbs.

Government, Politics & Issues

Victims trapped inside a collapsed St. Louis church say 911 calls went to nonemergency line

Marissanne Lewis-Thompson

When a tornado struck Centennial Christian Church on May 16, three people were trapped inside under debris. Their emergency calls went unanswered.

Patricia Penelton is seen standing in front of angel wings in an undated photo. Penelton, 74, died on May 16 after a tornado struck the St. Louis region. Friends and family remember Penelton as a spunky and dedicated servant who spent over 40 years at Centennial Christian Church in Fountain Park.

Health, Science & Environment

'God was well pleased': Loved ones remember St. Louis tornado victim Patricia Penelton

Lacretia Wimbley

Penelton, 74, spent nearly 40 years as a beloved member and spiritual mother at Centennial Christian Church in Fountain Park. Family and friends said goodbye Tuesday at a funeral service in Jennings.