Vandals Sought in Church Graffiti

Satanic graffiti is the last thing churchgoers want to find before a Sunday service. But police say someone used orange paint to vandalize a building belonging to St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

There was no sign of satanic rituals being held on church grounds, but a variety of symbols was found in a church administrative building. Police said the work appeared to have been done by amateurs.

Durham Police Officer M.M. Parker toldThe News & Observerthat he's seen much worse. Many of the symbols were things you'd see in some magazines, he said.

The graffiti may have been done Saturday night; a custodian said he did not notice it when he had cleaned the church Saturday afternoon.

Pastor Clement Spence said the grafitti will not be removed until there is an arrest. He said a court might order those convicted to clean the markings up themselves, which he would like to see happen.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Durham Police Department at919-560-4582.