Shreveport Church Vandalism
By: Heidi York
Updated: September 1, 2009
Broken windows and a smashed sign; all left behind by vandals at Shreveport's Living Epistle Church.
Pastor Roy King spotted the damage Saturday when he stopped by the church to pray. He discovered even more when he returned for Sunday services.
Earlier in the week glass from a busted out window nearly hit a church pianist practicing inside.
"Remember last Wednesday when Sister Anita told us that she thought someone was breaking glass? And here it is right here," said Ann Allison, a member of the church.
Shreveport police counted 28 broken windows at the church. They took fingerprints from the scene; hoping to track down the vandals. Pastor King just hopes to find a way to fix the damage left behind.
"It's a lot of repairs and right now we are week to week. We don't have the money right now," explained King.
This isn't the first problem Living Epistle Church has had to face. In May, their sanctuary collapsed after years of sewage problems. Church leaders think the mess left behind from the collapse is what's drawing in the vandals.
"We got this far with it and now we have run out of money," said King, showing NBC 6 the rubble left from the collapse.
Pastor King says he's keeping the faith.
"We trust God for directions and we know that this too shall pass," added King.
He says he’s already forgiven the vandals and trusts the foundation of his congregation is strong enough to rebuild their house of worship.
Pastor Roy King spotted the damage Saturday when he stopped by the church to pray. He discovered even more when he returned for Sunday services.
Earlier in the week glass from a busted out window nearly hit a church pianist practicing inside.
"Remember last Wednesday when Sister Anita told us that she thought someone was breaking glass? And here it is right here," said Ann Allison, a member of the church.
Shreveport police counted 28 broken windows at the church. They took fingerprints from the scene; hoping to track down the vandals. Pastor King just hopes to find a way to fix the damage left behind.
"It's a lot of repairs and right now we are week to week. We don't have the money right now," explained King.
This isn't the first problem Living Epistle Church has had to face. In May, their sanctuary collapsed after years of sewage problems. Church leaders think the mess left behind from the collapse is what's drawing in the vandals.
"We got this far with it and now we have run out of money," said King, showing NBC 6 the rubble left from the collapse.
Pastor King says he's keeping the faith.
"We trust God for directions and we know that this too shall pass," added King.
He says he’s already forgiven the vandals and trusts the foundation of his congregation is strong enough to rebuild their house of worship.
