The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Amelia A. Pridemore

    church vandals
May 14, 2008

Church vandalized, nothing stolen, members say

Amelia A. Pridemore

For 90 years, New Era Baptist Church has been a spiritual home for its 16 tightly knit members.

But church members say they found that home in Stanaford ransacked Wednesday with the name of a hate group written on the chalkboard.

Melvin Greene, a church deacon, said a man doing work at the building alerted him to the vandalism. When he went inside, he found a powdered cleanser covering the floor, church pews, hymnals, the piano and communion table with “This Do in Remembrance of Me” engraved at the front.

The cleanser can was discarded on a rear pew. He found a broken window through which those responsible apparently entered.

A Bible inside the pastor’s podium was thrown onto the floor. Greene pointed out a small office where the drawers had apparently been rifled through, as well as a drawer near the sanctuary. Someone had also written “KKK” on a chalkboard near the church’s entrance — on top of a Mother’s Day service announcement.

Maxcine Moore, the pastor’s wife, shook her head in silence at the chalkboard.

“Who could have done this, especially to a church?” Greene said. “This is a church, the house of the Lord.”

“You would think the fear of God would be enough,” said Alisha Knight, a church member and Greene’s daughter.

Greene said the church, off Cunningham Avenue, is about 90 years old and has 16 close members. Most are black. The church has been vandalized in the past, but the person responsible for the previous act only broke out windows. Those responsible for this crime, he said, apparently just wanted to cause destruction. No items, even kitchen appliances, have been discovered stolen.

Knight said the neighborhood does have an illegal drug problem. However, items would have been stolen if someone sought drug money, Greene said.

During a time when a black man, Sen. Barack Obama, is running for president, Greene said the country has not come far enough with racial equality and acceptance.

Greene said he experienced “a lot” of racism, personally, during the 1950s and 1960s. He and his daughter both experienced it Wednesday.

“I never have experienced outright racism until now,” Knight said.

The congregation will “absolutely” have church this Sunday, Greene said. Meanwhile, he will pray for those responsible.

“I’m angry right now,” he said. “I wouldn’t say anything to them until I calm down and pray. I will definitely pray for those who did this.

“They need prayer. The pastor’s wife came and prayed for me. I’m hurt and angry, but I hope the Holy Ghost will act before anger.”

The incident was under investigation by the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and no one could be reached for comment Wednesday night.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the sheriff’s department at 255-9300 or Crime Stoppers at 255-7867.

— E-mail: apridemore

@register-herald.com

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