Bible shredded, stained-glass windows shattered at north Lincoln church, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Four vandals caused over $6,000 in damage to a church in north Lincoln, police say.

Around 11 a.m. Thursday, officers were sent to First United Methodist Church near 50th Street and Madison Avenue on the report of a burglary.

When officers arrived, they spoke with the pastor, Kirstie Engel, who told them that four people had gotten into the church the previous night.

“My heart is in anguish for these young people, who feel like they need to express their anger in this way – at a church of all places,” Engel said.

Engel said the vandalism took place after the Ash Wednesday service.

One person who attended stayed and let the others in.

The group sprayed a fire extinguisher in the sanctuary, broke a wooden cross pedestal, shredded a Bible, and shattered a glass chandelier and two stained-glass windows.

Police say oil and ash were also spread over pew cushions.

Engel said surveillance cameras captured the whole thing, and the video has been shared with police.

“I was horrified to find out what happened,” Engel said.

An estimated $6,575 in damage was done to te church, according to police.

Engel said most of the damage can be fixed quickly, but the stained-glass windows are at least 200 years old and could take up to a year to repair.

The final message she wanted to share was one that could be found on a sign, untouched, at the front of the church: “The best is yet to come.”

An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.