According to reports on Tuesday night, four juveniles will face charges for vandalizing a 150-year-old church in Granville County.
The damages done at Grove Hill Church has estimated at over 30 thousand dollars.
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Since the incident, parts of the church had been covered while deputies worked to uncover the culprits.
Granville Sheriff says they recently discovered and identified the juveniles responsible for the incident.
"I hope it is a big lesson for them," said Deacon Steven Averett, Grove Hill Church. "You can't go around destroying property like this, not only God's house but nobody's property."
Deputies say they are in the process of filing juvenile petitions so that the teens will face charges in juvenile court.
Now the attention turns to repairing the church that has stood in this community for 150 years. A hefty price tag for repairs will impact a small congregation.
"This could be a devastating blow to our small church; we are not a big church with a big budget it could be finically devastating to us," said Deacon Averett.
Despite the work ahead, he says the congregation members forgive the suspects.
"Instead of standing outside throwing rocks at the church, I rather them come in the church and be a rock for Jesus Christ," said Deacon Averett.
Over the weekend, deputies said vandals damaged the church, leaving behind multiple shattered stained-glass windows and an overturned headstone in the church’s cemetery.
“Those stained-glass windows are irreplaceable to us,” said Deacon Averett.
One of the largest stained-glass windows features Jesus and children. That window, alone, was valued at more than $30,000 in damages by the insurance company, according to Averette.
“Jesus has a hole in his face now because someone has thrown a rock through it,” Deacon Averette said. “It’s just devastating.”
The church was established in 1840. Now, it serves a small congregation of about 12 people, according to Averette. He said he arrived at the church Sunday morning to prepare for service. He found debris from the incident.
“Rocks in the sanctuary floor,” he explained. “Glass, like I said, was strewn all the way to the pulpit up there.”
On Monday, Averette said four of the church’s cameras were also stolen.
In a Facebook post, the Granville County Sheriff’s Office asked for the community’s help in identifying who might be responsible. People with information are asked to contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, CrimeStoppers or Granville County 911.
“We’re hoping we get some relief from the insurance,” Averette said. “If we don’t, I don’t know how we’ll recover from this.”
As they go through the next steps with the insurance company, Averette said the congregation is focused on healing and forgiveness.
“We, as a church, have prayed for them,” he said.