By Phil Corso
A Maspeth pastor arrived at work Wednesday morning to find five separate acts of hate-driven vandalism throughout different areas of the church, including one Star of David with a swastika inside.
Pastor Terrence L. Weber from the Trinity St. Andrews Lutheran Church at 60-06 60th Ave. in Maspeth said he was surprised to find the markings in silver paint when he approached the church’s office door.
“That was a red light,” Weber said. “I thought it was odd because I’ve been here for 18 years and never had any kinds of problems like this.”
After seeing the first vandalized office door, Weber said he patrolled the church property to find four additional markings throughout the property, which spans an entire block.
While circling the property, Weber said he found a second Star of David on the door of his parish house accompanied by the words “Christ” and “Thor.” He also said he discovered unknown initials on another door, more initials on the house’s window alongside a picture of a bomb, and a pornographic picture with accompanying lettering on another nearby door.
“I don’t feel it was a professional job,” Weber said. “It was probably some delinquent trying to express himself. If it wasn’t us, it could have been another church to get hit.”
Weber said police responded quickly to the report. No arrests have been reported.
The 104th Precinct’s office of Community Affairs did not return calls seeking further information.
The 113-year-old church was caught off guard by the graffiti, Weber said, and he had no reason to expect any politically driven or hateful acts of vandalism on its property.
“We’ve been a very good neighbor,” Weber said. “We have very good relationships with the community.”
But the graffiti still played a part in showing the evolving makeup of the surrounding community, Weber said.
“Things are changing,” Weber said. “It’s not like it was 20 years ago.”
