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.
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.
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.
DAVID INGRAM
Arson investigators in the U.S are working to determine if a California church fire that injured three firefighters was set on purpose.
The fire was reported shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday at the Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles. A fire department spokesperson said more than 100 firefighters spent just under two hours to get the flames under control.
“My heart is so broken by this. Our youth choir stand is no longer nor is the side of the church where we used to sit. It’s devastating. I am still in disbelief. My childhood church is gone. So much history there (Sunday School, youth choir, young adult choir, the church basketball team … so many memories from 1970s to 1980s) … wow. Please keep the family of Victory Baptist Church of Los Angeles in your prayers, Prayer Warriors,” posted one church member to the chruch’s Facebook page.
The building is a total loss. The congregation says it will rebuild.
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.
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