A church in West Columbia, South Carolina, was vandalized Thursday with red spray paint with messages such as “Save Gaza” and “Liberate Palestine.”
A suburban Baptist church on Holland Street, a small church with about 25 members, was also tagged with the phrase “Welcome to Hell” and a graphic depiction of male genitalia on the back door of the main chapel. . state report. The vandalism ranged from the church’s main entrance to the house that serves as a food pantry for the children’s ministry.
“We don’t know who did it or why,” said senior pastor Tracy McGee. “It’s a depressing area. All sorts of things are going on. The two fisted heads who just do graffiti probably couldn’t find Gaza on a map because they had nothing else to do. I’m willing to bet. But that’s not for sure. That’s where we are. We’re praying for them.”
‘Save Gaza’ and ‘Liberate Palestine’ spray painted on West Columbia church https://t.co/Jgb2t88duy
— State Newspaper (@thestate) May 3, 2024
McGee added that vandalism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is indicative of “strange times” in the United States.
“We are in a very divided time,” McGee said. “We need strong leaders who will protect our country. We are in a very divided time on all kinds of things. We respect all sides. That’s where we’re at. And we just hope that government officials will come together and take action.”
Associate Pastor Elijah Smalls WLTX focused Sunday’s sermon on love and forgiveness after vandalism report.
“Just like they spray-painted our door, it’s going to be a door that we open to show them some love,” Smalls said.
McGee said West Columbia Police Department officers helped make temporary repairs to the church.
“He called me and said, ‘I have to get a door with pornography on it. You can’t walk through the church door like that,'” McGee said. “We’re blessed. We have professional staff arriving early next week. We had an outside individual who really wanted to pay for it. It was a Palestinian-origin who wanted to do it. He’s American.”
West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, who attended the Sunday service, said the vandalism was under investigation. He also told the media that vandals had damaged other areas in the neighborhood.
“Several houses around here were destroyed. Some public property and road signs were destroyed,” he said. “There are people in and out of the community who are working to figure out who that is. They came here and did these things. We’re going to make sure they get the attention they deserve.” I plan to.”
McGee said his church has received overwhelming support from across the country since the incident.
“We have people from all over Canada, Texas and the Carolinas calling and pledging and wanting to do what they can for the church,” he said. “We are a very simple church, a very small church, and God sat there and said, ‘I will protect you. I will save you.'” Thank you for your help. . ”
