An East Bay Church, known for giving back to the community, is now asking for help itself.

Second Baptist Church in Martinez is dealing with erosion on its property and it’s gotten so bad that the backyard is not walkable and cracks are starting to show up inside the building.

The backyard of this church is an absolute mess and Pastor Ray Montgomery says they need to raise well over $200,000 in order to fix it.

“I used to sit here, I used to come on some Sundays and sit on the edge here and just pray, though not knowing how we were going to get this done but hoping someway somehow,” Montgomery said.

Pastor Montgomery moved to Second Baptist Church four years ago inheriting this mess in the backyard.

“All of this from here that’s not supported to around the edge is the area that was impacted,” Montgomery said.

Sandbags lay across the creek, tarps and bricks sit on the church’s property, all of it in an effort to attempt to prevent further erosion which the church has been dealing with for years.

It’s gotten so bad, that inside the church, cracks are popping up in the basement’s kitchen.

“Not having the capital and the potential of the church falling into the creek, I’ve coined it that we will become the Katrina of Martinez eventually if we didn’t do anything,” Montgomery said.

The pastor says the church is considered safe but they are in dire need of repair and are now asking the community that they serve to help them raise the $265,000 they need in order to fix the problem.

“After exhausting every potential opportunity and option, this is where we are,” Montgomery said.

At this point, the church has raised just $5,000.

That means they need you to help them come up with the remaining $260,000.

If you want to donate, you can mail a check to the church at 1020 Las Juntas Avenue in Martinez or click here to donate.

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