Authorities said last Tuesday night, vandals threw a large rock through the window of Calvary United Methodist Church in Durham. Church leaders said a piece of cardboard was placed over the window, but authorities said vandals came back Saturday and threw bricks at the stained-glass windows, causing more damage.
"It was just disbelief at first. It looked like a war zone or something," said Pastor Laurie Hays Coffman of Calvary United Methodist Church.
Coffman said the church is the only one of its kind in North and South Carolina that embraces gays and lesbians who have been spurned by other churches.
"There are people who don't want Christian churches to look like that, and be so multi-cultural and multi-dimensional," Coffman said.
Church leaders said the glass was protected by plexiglass, which was also damaged by the vandals. Church leaders said damage is estimated to be thousands of dollars.
Whatever the vandals' reason, Coffman said they are still welcome to worship in the church.
"They need not break the windows to be included. They can come in the doors and be a part of the loving healing ministry that's going on here already," he said.
Church leaders said Christmas Eve service will go on as planned Tuesday night.
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