Letcher Co. church opens doors to healing after courthouse shooting

WHITESBURG, Ky. (WYMT) – A Letcher County church is using its proximity to promote peace and healing after the courthouse shooting rocked the Whitesburg community.

Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church is located across from the Letcher County Courthouse and the Letcher County Sheriff's Office. So when the shooting happened last month, members began planning how they could help their neighbors.

The church began opening its doors at 8 a.m. to serve donuts and coffee to anyone in the offices who need a friendly face, and is also serving lunch at 11:30 a.m. They also opened the sanctuary for reflection, prayer or meditation.

“Come over. Sit down. Eat. Enjoy. If they want someone to hold their hand or just pray with them or just sit with them and not talk at all, just give them a moment,” said . “We're all for that here we wanted our doors to be open to these people because they are our people.”

Spangler said the mission is to create a safe space away from what's happening in the courtroom while working to promote community healing at a time when tensions are high and many people and families are in the crosshairs.

“We want to be here without judgment. We want to be here and not blame anyone. We want to be that force – that building – where you can go and be comforted,” Spangler said. “That’s what our church is for. We want to help you get through the day knowing that everything will be okay in the end. But in this time of pain, we want to make sure you know we are here.”

She said the church wants to nourish the body and soul and do its part to serve as a common ground for the community.

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