A North Side church with a predominantly Hispanic congregation was targeted by vandals over the weekend, its spiritual leader said Monday.
The damage to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 610 Avalon St., was discovered after threats were posted online about attacks against places of worship nationwide. The Rev. Luis Ivan Echandia said Sunday's incident was no accident.
"This is a hate crime," Echandia said. "It is not a coincidence that we were advised of possible attacks and then had this."
Echandia said he has been with the church, of about 100 members, since 2018. He believes the vandalism occurred between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
San Antonio police were called to the church Sunday afternoon and took a report. Services for Gethsemane Lutheran, which are now virtual because of the pandemic, were not affected and continued.
The church sustained damage to its grounds and building, and Echandia noted a ladder had been torn apart. Tire tracks destroyed the landscaping and steps into the church were damaged.
On Saturday, leadership within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Southwestern Texas Synod informed Echandia and other congregations that threats of violence have been made leading to Wednesday’s inauguration of Joe Biden. While no official warning from FBI has been issued, church leaders said there is “chatter among white supremacy groups about plans to attack liberal activists and churches” on Jan. 17 and 20, a letter from the Southwestern Texas Synod said.
Because Gethsemane’s services are currently virtual, Echandia said he is not worried about his congregation, but he believes what happened to their church on Sunday is a sign of the times in America.
“I’m not sure how much the damages will cost, but the money isn’t what’s important. What is important is that this was a message of hate against our community,” Echandia said.
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