VANDALISM UNDER INVESTIGATION AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF BRENHAM
Brenham police are investigating an act of vandalism at a local church.
First Christian Church of Brenham, 306 Cottonwood Street, reports that over 15 antique stained-glass windows were shattered by rocks and bricks. The church believes the incident occurred late Monday or early Tuesday.
In a release, the church said Pastor Charles “Chuck” Topping and members are “heartbroken” by the damage but “remain steadfast in their mission to share the love of Christ with the community.”
The congregation had recently completed repairs of the stained-glass windows as part of the restoration of the church building, which celebrated its 125th anniversary earlier this year.
Amy Banik, a member of the First Christian Church congregation, called the act “a shock”. She said she does not believe anyone made entry into the building.
Banik thanked the Brenham Pregnancy Center and everyone who came out to help clean up and secure the church and to provide support. She said she is grateful for the “awesome community” that has already begun to rally around them.
Church services and activities will continue as normal.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so at Brenham National Bank, directing their contributions to the account for First Christian Church Brenham. Donations can also be sent to the church’s mailing address: First Christian Church, 401 Sycamore Street, Brenham, TX 77833.
Anyone with information about the act of vandalism is encouraged to contact the Brenham Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Many years ago while attending Sunday School at First Baptist, we had a guest park on the wrong side of the street and an older lady came running (kinda slowly) from First Christian Church to yell at them for parking there (they moved their car to another area). It was kind of a Mayberry moment that we have all laughed about for years. It is a tragedy to see this beautiful church damaged! I hope and pray that they are able to restore these windows. I also hope they are able to catch the vandals who did this and prosecute them.
It seems to me that with the current state of affairs with attacks against religious buildings and associated things, this might well be charged (if the zeros can be found), as a hate crime. If they had gone to downtown Brenham and knocked out several plate glass windows, that’s one thing, but to attack church windows is something else. Of course, I know this will depend upon how fervently the prosecutors want to push this; in all likelihood (and if identified and convicted), they will be fined and forced to do some community service and the church will be on the hook (or it’s insurance), for the majority of the damages.
If the windows had been knocked out of our now- removed synagogue, wouldn’t they be charging that as a hate crime?
Period!
This makes me want to cry! Not only was this an assault upon religion but also upon Brenham’s history!
It is vandalism and destruction of private property. It is wrong regardless of the type of business or residence.
The church building is located on a quiet neighborhood off a main road. It sounds like an easy target for a deplorable person.
I highly doubt the person or persons responsible were targeting “religion” or “history”.
Low class people getting cheap thrills breaking windows.
At least no one was hurt and just the windows received damage. Sounds like misguided youth with questionable morals and nothing better to do.
Exterior cameras might be a good investment going forward.
It’s actually a state jail felony to vandalize a house of worship. I hope when this person is caught they get the maximum sentence allowed by law
Hang um high