On Sunday, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a car traveling southbound on Old Bethpage Road, jumped the curb and slammed into the front of the Fellowship Hall at Plainview Reformed Church.

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Fire Department and Nassau County Police Department responded to a 911 call placed by Pastor David Maris. The driver was removed from the car and transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Fortunately there were no people in Fellowship Hall, Sunday School or the parking lot and the damage, while extensive, was only to property. There is damage to the exterior brick wall, windows, inside cinderblock walls in both the Fellowship Hall and Sunday School and cross ties between the floor joists.

According to Leslie McLean, church board member, real tragedy was narrowly averted. "One of the groups that uses our Fellowship Hall had only just left. We are grateful that no one was standing outside the Hall when this happened," said McLean.

Pastor Maris called Consistory members to inform them of the accident. Members of the Consistory met with the Town of Oyster Bay building inspector, contractor, structural engineer and insurance adjuster.

The building has been temporarily secured and the Consistory is awaiting the final report from the structural engineer so that permanent repairs can commence.

At the current time, the church has lost use of a Sunday school room and part of a large hall. This facility serves not only the church but many community groups such as AA, a ping pong club and the New Life Church. The church hopes to have use of the majority of the facility shortly.

Pastor Maris remembered the driver of the car during prayers in the Sunday worship service this week.