Tag: anti-theist

Arson Fire Destroys Church in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan

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JEFF TURNER

A fire that destroyed a church in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, in September 2024, has been determined to be the result of arson, according to a news release from Loon Lake RCMP. The press release says a suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.

On the morning of September 28, 2024, Loon Lake RCMP were called to respond to a fire at a church on Main Street in Loon Lake. When officers arrived, the building was already fully engulfed in flames. Loon Lake Fire Services were on the scene, working to control the blaze. Fortunately, no one was in the church at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Initially, the RCMP described the investigation as being in its early stages. Officers asked the public for help, encouraging anyone who had seen anything suspicious or who had security camera footage from the area to come forward. At the time, the cause of the fire was unknown, and police considered it suspicious.

After weeks of investigation, RCMP announced an arrest in the case. On December 7, 2024, 25-year-old Shandon Chief, from the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, was taken into custody. He has been charged with one count of arson under Section 434 of the Criminal Code. In addition, Chief was arrested for breaching a conditional sentence order.

Shandon Chief appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on December 9, 2024. The RCMP have not released additional details about the evidence that led to the arrest.

The destruction of the church marks a significant loss for the Loon Lake community. Police continue to encourage anyone with information about the fire to contact them.

Texas Man Arrested with Explosives, Weapons: Planned Church Attack, Authorities Say

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

WHITE SETTLEMENT—A man taken into custody last last month in White Settlement, Texas had explosives, firearms, and ammunition in his van and reportedly told authorities he planned to attack a local church, according to details obtained by The Dallas Morning News.

A press release from the The White Settlement Police Department says officers were alerted to a suspicious vehicle early in the morning of November 26, 2024. Officers responded to a neighbourhood where they found a white passenger van with a man sitting in the driver’s seat.

Police noted the man had a handgun in his lap and appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers engaged him in conversation and, during a moment when he was not holding the weapon, safely detained him.

Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers spotted two devices they suspected were improvised explosives. Additional firearms, including a rifle and an AR-style pistol, were also found inside the van.

Law enforcement agencies quickly secured the area, with support from the Fort Worth Police and Fire Departments and the Fort Worth Fire Department Bomb Squad. The devices were confirmed to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and were safely removed.

Federal agencies, including the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, have joined the investigation. Authorities are now examining the suspect’s motives and potential targets, with federal or state charges likely to follow.

The suspect was taken to a medical facility and remains in custody as police and federal agents pursue search warrants and continue their inquiries.

The White Settlement Fire Department also assisted at the scene, and the neighbourhood perimeter has since been lifted. Officials have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat in the area.

Police are working to determine why the man was parked in the neighbourhood and to uncover more details about the planned attack.

Historic Church in Southern U.S. Rebuilds After Arson Destroyed Its Original Building

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Greater Union Baptist Church, located in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, has been a part of the community for over 130 years. In 2019, the church faced a devastating loss when its building was deliberately burned down by an arsonist. Now, the congregation is preparing to move into a new, modern sanctuary.

The fire that destroyed Greater Union Baptist Church was part of a series of attacks on churches in the area. Three Baptist churches in St. Landry Parish were targeted and burned within a span of 10 days. Authorities arrested Holden Matthews, who was 21 years old at the time of the crimes. He pleaded guilty in U.S. Federal Court. Matthews was sentenced on three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, 18He is currently serving 25-year sentences in both federal and state prisons, with the terms running at the same time.

The church community also experienced the loss of its pastor, Harry Richard, who passed away nearly a year after the fire. He had been the leader of Greater Union during the difficult period following the arson. Pastor Patrick Lavergne has since taken on the role of leading the congregation.

The new sanctuary for Greater Union Baptist Church represents a fresh start for the congregation. The building is equipped with modern facilities and reflects the resilience of its members. Church leaders have announced that services in the new space will begin in December.

The completion of the new building is a significant moment for the church and the wider community.

U.S. Criminals smash windows, spread paint in California church building

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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.

U.S.: Man who vandalized two churches given jail time, told to stay way

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JEFF TURNER SR.

A California man who pleaded to felony charges related to vandalism of two churches will spend 208 days in jail.

Omar Rico Olivardes, 34, entered the guilty pleas on September 29, 2022. According to court documents the charges of vandalism of religious property are related to smashing windows at the Gospel Churh of God and the Templo Sinai Church in Santa Anna, California. He was also ordered to stay away from two other churches in the area.

Texas Gospel Canada file stories do not list a motive given at the time of the vandalism.