ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Throughout the country, countless churches held their Christmas mass on Wednesday, but in Florida, some churches face challenges in the aftermath of this year’s hurricanes. 

What You Need To Know

  • St. John Vianney Catholic Church flooded during Hurricane Helene

  • 14 building on campus flooded during the hurricane

  • Church leaders are hoping by Easter, services will once again be inside the church

For example, St. John Vianney Catholic Church couldn’t hold its services inside because of storm damage. 

Instead, they held mass outside under a large tent. 

"This is where people had their kids baptized, or they got married here, or they found a relationship with Jesus Christ," Father Voctor Amorose said. "We wanted to provide some way of continuing to gather as Saint John Vianney." 

It’s been about three months since Hurricane Helene.

Father Amorose said the campus was under 4.5 feet of water and 14 buildings flooded.

Despite the church being the highest point on campus, it still had more than one foot of water inside. 

"We had to disconnect all the pews from the ground so that we could dry them out and clean the floors so now we have to wait and get those reattached before we can get people back in here and it's all those steps that are kind of holding us up right now," he said.  

Walking through the buildings isn't easy for Father Amorose. 

There's a lot of work that needs to be finished before services can be held inside the church again.

Despite the challenges, seeing the bright smiles of everyone coming together reminds him that church is about more than just a building. 

"Seeing the people who have chosen to come out here last night for Christmas Eve and this morning for Christmas... it's brought me to tears multiple times just to see the people that have come out," he said.  

Church leaders are hoping by Easter, services will once again be inside the church.