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Storm damage caused a Santa Barbara church to relocate its services

Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara suffered flood damage in the January 9 storm
Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara suffered flood damage in the January 9 storm

Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara had to relocate its 1200 strong congregation to the Arlington Theater.

The clean-up from the storm earlier this month continues and one Santa Barbara Church has felt the impact of the storms on its services.

Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara has had to relocate their 1200 strong congregation to a nearby theater, after the church building was damaged by flooding in the January 9 storm.

Bret Shellabarger, the Associate Pastor, told KCLU that volunteers have moved quickly to demolish and reinstall the damaged drywall and flooring.

"Some areas was 2-3 inches but our children's area was about 4 feet of water," said Shellabarger. "You have to rush to do demolition so that the place doesn't get mold."

Shellabarger said he hopes services will be able to move back to the church on Sunday.

Caroline joined KCLU in October 2020. She won LA Press Club's Audio Journalist of the Year Award in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Since joining the station she's also won 10 Golden Mike Awards, 6 Los Angeles Press Club Awards, 4 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Writing.

She started her broadcasting career in the UK, in both radio and television for BBC News, 95.8 Capital FM and Sky News and was awarded by Prince Philip for her services to radio and journalism in 2007.

She has lived in California for eleven years and is both an American and British citizen - and a very proud mom to her daughter, Elsie.