JANET JOHNSON-TREMBLAY
Vandals in the U.S. targeted the building sanctuary of First Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield, California.
Police in California were called to the church on Sept. 21, 2022 after graffiti, broken windows and overturned pews were discovered at the house of worship.
Volunteers from other congregations have helped clean up most of the damage.
Police in Bakersfield have not yet determined who is responsible for the criminal attack on the church.
DAVID INGRAM
A Minnesota congregation is facing thousands of dollars in repairs after an act of vandalism over the weekend.
Police in Sauk Centre, Minnesota issued the following news release on Monday:
On 9/17/2022 at approximately 1308 hours officers were called to Our Lady of the Angels church in Sauk Centre for a report of some vandalism. When the officer arrived, he found extensive damage to the inside of the church entrance area and sanctuary, including tipping over a statue, urinating on the carpet, damaging candle holders and other items. The officer was able to review video surveillance from the church showing two males entering the church at 0627 hours and leaving at 0638 hours, carrying a candle holder. Suspects were later identified as Corey Allen Drouillard, age 28 of Sauk Centre and Cheyenne Marcus Budreau, age 19, of Cass Lake. Both suspects were arrested and booked in Stearns County Jail on charges of burglary and criminal damage to property. The congregation Friday will celebrate a Mass of Reparation for the desecration of a Holy Place.
JEFF TURNER
Anti-Christian graffiti, smashed glass and other damage left by vandals at a church in the U.S. greeted congregation members as they arrived for Worship on Sunday. The attack on St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon is one of dozens of similar criminal acts against houses of worship in the city this year.
Pastor Sarah Sanderson-Doughty said the church is insured, but the congregation will have to cover the delectable.
The congregation will pray for the vandal (or vandals) at a, “candlelight service of healing and forgiveness” this weekend.
JEFF TURNER
Springfield, Missouri police have not yet determined who keeps vandalizing the church building of the Acts of Praise – Whole Life Ministry. The congregation this week has had to clean up after two attacks only days apart.
A volunteer, described by the pastor as a “Good Samaritan,” removed graffiti after the latest incident. The Pastor told Ozarksfirst.com they were at a loss of words about the vandalism. Channel 3 television reported that members of the congregation say the attacks may be racially motivated rather than the result of anti-theist bias.
Springfield is a city of around 475,000 located in southwest Missouri.
JEFF TURNER
A congregation in Kingston, Tennessee has endured broken windows, food marked for feeding the hungry damaged and other destruction of property caused by vandals who targeted their church building three times since May.
The most recent incident at the Church of God Open Arms Fellowship happened August 13. A news release from the Kingston, Tennessee Police Department says, “A person or persons broke into the church and vandalized the building each time. A substantial amount damage was done to the church.”
A church member said the congregation installed surveillance cameras following the first break-in. Police are now reviewing video from those cameras.
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