That tribute — the Pastor Al Pavilion — will go up this fall. For years to come, families will be able to relax in the shade of the pavilion while the children enjoy the playscape.

More formally known as the Rev. Al Henderson, Pastor Al was the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. He was also the chaplain for the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, District 7 of the Iowa State Patrol and the Fort Dodge Fire Department. He also founded a support group for those agencies called Serving Our Servants.

Henderson was murdered on the church grounds on Oct. 2, 2019.

Since his death, his memory has been honored with things like Pay It Forward Friday, a day on which random acts of kindness are encouraged.

But Serving Our Servants also wanted a physical monument to Henderson.

Pingel, the group’s president, said the initial concept was to have a bench with a couple of trees nearby.

Pingel, and Kristine Henderson, the pastor’s widow, met Matt Cosgrove, the director of Webster County Conservation, at the park to check out some possible sites.

At first, their search was unsuccessful.

“No spot felt right,” Pingel said.

Then Cosgrove led them to a flat patch of ground near the playscape. The site overlooks Badger Lake. Terry Moehnke Veterans Memorial Park can be clearly seen across the lake.

“Hands down, this was a perfect spot,” Kristine Henderson said.

As Pingel and Kristine Henderson looked over the site, the potential for much more than a bench and trees became apparent. The proposed tribute almost instantly evolved into a picnic shelter to be called the Pastor Al Pavilion.

The pavilion will measure 16 by 24 feet. Emblems of the departments Al Henderson served as chaplain will be on the pillars of the pavilion.

Pingel said fundraising is well underway for the pavilion. He said all the building supplies needed to construct the pavilion come in a kit. He said the kit has been ordered and will be delivered in September. He said the goal is to have the pavilion up by Pay It Forward Friday in October.

All the necessary concrete work for the pavilion will be donated by MC Concrete, of Fort Dodge.

“As soon as I heard about it I called TJ,” said Jason Hudson, owner of the company. “I asked do you have anyone to do the concrete? He said no. I said well, you do now.”

He said he knew he knew Al Henderson because he led prayers before motocross races at the Webster County Fairgrounds. He added that his daughter and two daughters-in-law worked as nurses in the intensive care unit at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center and Al Henderson was always available to help them.

“It was a no brainer to me,” he said, explaining why he decided to volunteer for the project.

Cosgrove said the site is a good one for a pavilion.

“People can use the shelter and see their kids on the playground,” he said.

Pastor Al Pavilion fundraiser is Saturday

A weekend fundraiser is planned to support the construction of the Pastor Al Pavilion at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.

It will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Shimkat Motor Co., 3126 Fifth Ave. S.

It will feature music by the duo of Sawyer Springer and Brant Lawler. Spencer Suchan will also perform.

A pork loin sandwich supper will be served.

“This will be a come and go, come as you are, come and enjoy some good music kind of event,” said TJ Pingel, president of Serving Our Servants.