Category: News affecting the Church

Historic chapel set ablaze in Georgia, US officials seek arsonist

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1/11/2021 UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting that inspectors have confirmed the fire was intentionally set.

Jeff Turner

Authorities in the US say a fire at an historic chapel in Georgia was intentionally set.

A spokesperson for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews were called to the Smith Chapel Church in Bowdon, Georgia around 12 p.m. Monday. The church building was fully engulfed in flame when the first emergency worker arrived.

“We believe at this point the fire was intentionally set and we are asking anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed anything unusual between 10 am and 2 pm to contact Investigator Brandon Wiggins,” said the spokesperson.

The sheriff’s office as of Tuesday afternoon has not determined a motive for the crime.

Historic Rural Churches is an organization that seeks to document and preserve historic church buildings.  Its website says the chapel has stood since 1851.

Woman arrested for breaking windows, vandalizing graves at US church

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David Ingram, Music Director/Reporter

Sheriff’s deputies in the US say they have arrested a woman who broke windows, destroyed church property, and vandalized graves at a church.

Moore County, North Carolina Sheriff Ronnie Fields said in a press release that the damage was done on Dec. 29, 2020 at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church in Carthage, North Carolina. When deputies arrived at the church they found damage to multiple grave markers, windows, and other miscellaneous items on the church property. Sheriff Fields said deputies quickly found a person of interest in the area who was subsequently charged in connection with the crimes. 

A sheriff’s office spokesperson has identified the person arrested as Jasmine Shereece Frye, 34, of Carthage, NC. She faces 10 counts of Felony Disturbing Grave Markers, 1 count of misdemeanor injury to real property, and one count of littering.

Jail records show Frye is held on $25,000 US bond.

Shereece is scheduled to appear before a judge on March 3, 2021.

Hate crimes charges filed after man screams obscenities and exposes himself at church in Edmonton

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David Ingram, Music Director & Reporter

The Archdiocese of Edmonton Thursday issued a statement announcing that charges have been filed against an individual who disrupted Mass on December 13 at Santa Maria Goretti Church. Edmonton police have charged the individual, who is not named, with mischief to religious property. The charge is a hate crime. The suspect is also charged with mischief.

The website of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton says police have banned the suspect from all archdiocesan property.

The Archdiocese is not releasing further comment while the case remains before the courts.

Police in Massachusetts seek answers in vandalism of 168-year-old Cathedral

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A Cathedral built in Massachusetts in the mid 1800’s has been vandalized.

Police in the US say someone broke stained glass windows and caused other damage at the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Falls River.  A priest at the cathedral told WLNE television he learned of the damage on Saturday. He also told the TV station it was not the first time criminals have damaged the building. It is unknown if a previous act of vandalism is related to Saturday’s incident.

“I think it’s maybe crazy people, maybe people who hate the church,” Congregation member Claudia Mendoza told WCVB television.

A report from WPRI television estimates the damage done to the Cathedral at around $25,000 US.

The Cathedral’s website says construction on the building began in 1852 and it was completed in 1856.

Church arson

US offers $50K reward in church arson

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Officials in the US are offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person (or persons) who burned a church building.

A press release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation says the arson attack happened Sept. 17, 2020 at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco.

“This act of violence was not just an attack on a building, but on a congregation. This was an attack on a community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair. “We are counting on assistance from members of the community to keep our city safe. Every lead will be thoroughly investigated. Regardless of how insignificant you think your information might be, we strongly encourage you to come forward and we welcome your information and assistance.”

The FBI has jurisdiction to investigate fires set at houses of worship under the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for those who wish to donate to the church.