Catonsville Church Vandalized, Pastor Believes It May Be Due To Its Acceptance of Gays
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- After the Immanuel United Church of Christ was vandalized last week, police are investigating the incident as a possible bias-related crime.
The pastor tells investigators she believes the church, which flies a gay unity flag on its doorstep, has been victimized before because of its open acceptance of gays and lesbians.
Officers responded to the church, in the 1900 block of Edmondson Avenue, at about 9:40 a.m. June 30.
The pastor told them that someone had broken into the church overnight and ransacked it.
Officers found smashed windows, file cabinets opened and furniture and other items broken and strewn about. A fire extinguisher had been used to spray throughout the church, damaging many items including pew cushions.
In the music room, various inflammatory phrases were written on a dry erase board, including "666," "Hail Satan," "WTF is Jezus?" and "Death 2 All."
Police believe the crime occurred some time between 7:30 p.m. on June 29 and 9:40 a.m. on June 30.
This is an open investigation and there are currently no suspects. Anyone with information about the crime should call the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-307-2020.
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