OCALA, Fla. – An Ocala church already recovering from a major electrical fire is now dealing with what church leaders describe as a hateful act of vandalism involving racial slurs and threatening messages.
Leaders at St. Paul A.M.E. Church said someone broke into the church overnight and vandalized the property with racist language and symbols just days after a fire forced the church to close temporarily.
Pastor Sha’leda Mirra said discovering the messages left her devastated.
“It brought me to tears this morning,” Mirra said. “It was just another heartache in the midst of trying to mourn our sanctuary.”
Last Saturday, smoke poured from the church after an accidental electrical fire caused significant damage to the building, according to fire crews. The church has been closed while the church leaders see what they can do for recovery efforts.
Mirra said they were dealt with another blow Tuesday night when someone, or possibly multiple people, broke into the church and vandalized classrooms and other areas inside and outside the building.
“To find racial slurs, hate speech, threats,” Mirra said, describing what church members discovered.
The pastor said some of the graffiti included supremacist-related imagery and messages.
“We found that it is a supremacist group, and it’s an on-call for others to do the same,” she said.
In response, the church has begun installing security cameras, while police officers remain stationed outside the property around the clock. Church leaders also said the FBI has been notified.
Despite the hateful messages, Mirra said the church remains committed to its mission of inclusion and compassion.
“Love for all people — that’s what we preach here,” she said. “Even though we are a predominantly African American church, we have a mixed crowd.”
When asked what message she would give to the person or people responsible, Mirra responded with forgiveness and prayer.
“We pray that the same God that gives us joy and peace will touch their heart,” she said.
Church leaders said they have warned other churches in the area while the vandalism investigation continues.