Memphis church vandalized twice in one month, pastor says

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis church was vandalized just days into the new year, and it wasn’t the first time recently.

Now the hunt is underway to find out who was behind the break-in.

“Everything was broken. Anything that could have been broken was broken. It was demolished and a complete disaster,” said Andrew Perpener Jr., the pastor at Holy Nation Church of Memphis.

Several windows broken, glass everywhere, graffiti of gang symbols and inappropriate images spray painted on walls and a computer missing.

The Holy Nation Church of Memphis in Raleigh is left in disbelief.

“Who was it and why?” said Prepener.

The pastor said they discovered the first break-in on December 18.

The suspects struck again within a month.

Records show that last Friday morning someone broke into the family life center.

They destroyed the kitchen and left inappropriate graffiti on the walls of gymnasium.

They unleashed fire extinguishers that ruined the floor.

Pastor said it will cost more than $30,000 to repair the damage.

“Nothing like this has ever happened. Not even a car break-in on the parking lot.,” said Perpener.

The pastor said that neighbors told him that it may be kids who caused the damage.

He’s working with city officials and community leaders about ways to help the youth to keep them out of trouble.

“We got to get our children off the streets. Give them something productive, like mentoring, training or just activities,” said Perpener.

The pastor said because they have no security cameras or alarms on the property, they are adjusting ensure the safety of the congregation.