UCC church vandalized
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Pottstown -- Vandals defaced one of Pottstown's most historic churches. Monday morning, parishioners arrived at Zion's United Church of Christ on the corner of Hanover and Chestnut Streets to find black graffiti all around the chapel.
Pastor Peter Nichols said, "We're greatly saddened because churches exist as a social resource and a source of strength and support for a community. It disturbs us."
Scrawled on the chapel, several '666s,' pentagrams and cryptic messages that read, "God is Dead" and "No God, no masters." Also on one of the doors, a 7-foot-tall sinister face was drawn on it with the words, "Hail Satan." The main sanctuary was established in 1796. If there's a small comfort, it's that the graffiti didn't touch the historic building.
No word yet from Brotherhood Mutual if this type of property damage will prompt the insurer to reconsider coverage for churches at risk of being vandalized by angry atheists.
