Granville deputies search for vandals who damaged historic church

In the Wilton community, on a gravel road east of Preddy Road, you’ll find Grove Hill Church.

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 Steven Averette, a long-time deacon at the church.

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,” 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.