Car Drives Into Church in Crystal Lake

Photo credit: Hope Covenant Church Facebook page

Hope Covenant Church in Crystal Lake was closed Sunday after a car drove into the church Saturday night.

The accident occurred at 8:37 p.m. Saturday when the vehicle crashed into the church at 451 Ackman Road, according to a Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department press release.

The church was unoccupied at the time of the crash. The driver drove through the parking lot of the church, into the church building, through the nursery, the hallway and into the right side of the sanctuary, according to a Facebook post on the Hope Covenant Church page.

The driver of the vehicle was treated by paramedics and then released. No one else was injured in the crash.

The church has been deemed uninhabitable due to wall and ceiling damage to the structure. Initial damage estimates are $45,000. The city of Crystal Lake Building Division is expected to further evaluate the structural damage to the building.

Hope Covenant Church was closed for Sunday morning worship. The church planned an abbreviated service of singing, scripture and prayer at 10 a.m. in the back yard of the church. Those attending were encouraged to bring lawn chairs, according to the Hope Covenant Facebook page.