The Chapman story

On the evening of June 11, 2008 a 1/2 mile wide tornado swept through Chapman. The tornado moved from the southwest side of town, through the central business district and then out of town.

Over 60 homes were destroyed. About 80 percent of the town suffered major damage, including the loss of three churches and all of the schools. One person was killed and about a hundred other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

But the one thing the tornado couldn’t destroy was the spirit of the founding Irish settlers that lives on in the hearts of the volunteers who have come together to demonstrate the innate goodness that rises up when faced with a tragedy such as this.

We have been met with a challenge, but we remain determined. We will rebuild. After all, we are the Fighting Irish!