Salem church prays for vandal

By D.A. WILKINSON

wilkinson@vindy.com

SALEM

The Episcopal Church of Savior, 870 E. State St., was vandalized by, officials suspect, a youth who will receive prayers from the church.

Police said they received a call from a church official at 7:09 a.m. Sunday, which was Palm Sunday, one of the most important dates in the Christian faith.

The church’s doors were unlocked. A custodian found the damage, which consisted of a dry chemical fire extinguisher having been set off around the altar.

Police Chief Robert Floor said that the powder from such an extinguisher is very difficult to clean up.

The custodian called church officials, who went to the church and cleaned it before the service.

The person who entered the church got into the wine used during the service and drank a very small amount of it. Some of the items from the altar were moved. The pews were not moved; they are bolted to the floor.

There was no other damage to the church.

Larry May, a church official, said the size of the footprints left in the powder suggested, “a youngster or a young person.”

The vandal had left a note stating his philosophical and religious views and asked for prayers for a grand-relative.

May said he considers the event a “nonstory” but said the church members will be praying for the vandal.