Category: News affecting the Church

U.S.: Arson investigators work to determine cause of Alabama church fire

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JEFF TURNER

Arson investigators in Alabama are working to determine if a fire at a Baptist church was intentionally set.

The church building of New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Hueytown, Alabama is a total loss as a result of a fire on 5 August.

Hueytown is a community of slightly more than 15,000 people.  The local fire department was assisted by firefighters from Bessemer, Alabama which is a larger neighboring city.

No injuries were reported.

The congregation plans to hold Sunday services at a nearby community center.

Vandalism at U.S. church investigated as ‘intimidation-related vandalism’

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STAFF

Police in Pennsylvania are working to identify two people caught on video as they damaged statues at a Catholic church. 

A spokesperson for the Kennett Square Police Department says the vandalism happened at St. Patrick’s Church in Kennett Square on Saturday, July 9. Photos of the suspects were released today. The spokesperson said the crime is investigated as an, “intimidation-related vandalism,” because they also posted signs with threatening messages.

No other information about the criminal act has been released.

Vandals damage Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. church

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STAFF

Police are investigating a break-in and vandalism at the Anglican Church in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.

A press release from the RCMP says someone late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning got into the building and damaged several religions items. The release says police request assistance from the public to find the person or persons responsible.

No motive for the vandalism is known.

US: Surveillance cameras catch vandal destroying statues at church in Houma, Louisiana

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STAFF

Police in Houma, Louisiana are looking for a person who was caught on surveillance video vandalizing statues at a Catholic Church.

The statues have been at the church since the 1960’s. A police spokesperson said video shows a man lifting, then smashing the statues the morning of July 22.

Nothing was stolen during the criminal act.

Police do not know the man’s motives and have not yet determined his identity.

U.S. Baptist Church returns to sanctuary nearly a year after arson attack

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TIMOTHY DUFF

A congregation in Montgomery, Alabama has returned to its sanctuary eight months after an arsonist attempted to burn it down.

(This Facebook post was made one day after the fire)

The church service began with the baptism of a young child who gave his life to Christ.

Federal authorities in the United States say Xiaoquin Yan, 27, set four fires inside the First Baptist Church of Montgomery on September 30, 2021. She’s now facing federal charges. If convicted on the federal charges, Yan faces a prison sentence of between 5-20 years in prison.

The church has served the Montgomery, Alabama area for nearly 200 years.