The home of the New Birth Christian Ministries Church in South Bend, Indiana. Image from Google Maps

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians made a big contribution to a church in Indiana on Wednesday.

The tribe is paying for a new roof for the New Birth Christian Ministries Church in South Bend. The estimated $75,000 donation includes all of the materials for the project plus the labor -- participants in the tribe's carpenter apprenticeship program will perform the work.

“A new roof is critical for the continued operation of our church,” Rev. Cory L. Gathright, Sr. said in a press release.

“When we met Rev. Gathright, we were impressed with the good work of his church, and its potential to expand that work in this inspiring building once the roof is repaired,” added Chairman John P. Warren.

The tribe is headquartered in Dowagiac, Michigan. But a number of its members live just across the border in the South Bend, Indiana, area.

Get the Story:
Pokagons give back through apprenticeship program (The South Bend Tribune 10/9)
South Bend church gets new roof thanks to big donation (WSBT 10/8)
Casino building tribe works on South Bend church (WNDU 10/8)