Far Rockaway Churches Vandalized Twice

By Katie McFadden

Several statues at multiple churches in Far Rockaway were the target of vandals last week. Statues at Roman Catholic churches, St. Mary Star of the Sea and St. Gertrude, and two Protestant churches in the area were vandalized within a few days.

On the morning of Wednesday, October 2, a garbage bag with a skull face was found over the head of the Virgin Mary statue at St. Gertrude on Beach 38th Street. And later that day, at St. Mary Star of the Sea on New Haven Avenue, a traffic cone was placed on the head of the St. Thérèse statue, metal objects were hung from the arms of the Jesus statue and a garbage bag was wrapped around another statue of the Virgin Mary at the back of the church. The statues did not sustain any damage among the mischief.

However, on Sunday, October 5, Father Francis Shannon, the head pastor for St. Mary Star of the Sea-St Gertrude, was shocked to find the statues at St. Mary Star of the Sea once again vandalized, and this time in a more damaging way. The statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Thérèse of Lisieux at St. Mary Star of the Sea were spray painted, and the word “Cult” was written on the base of the St. Thérèse of Lisieux statue and on the sidewalk. Additionally, the message “Welcome Cult Members” was spray painted on a wall outside of the church. Father Shannon immediately called police.

Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. They informed Father Shannon that two Protestant churches were also hit with black paint. Unfortunately, there is not much footage available as the church’s security cameras stopped working two months ago. New cameras were set to be installed just after the incidents. The incidents continue to be under investigation. The spray paint has since been cleaned off the statues, sidewalk and wall.

“The vandalism and desecration discovered Sunday morning at St. Mary Star of the Sea is both disgraceful and frightening,” Father Shannon said in a statement provided to The Rockaway Times. “It is truly heartbreaking and very sad to see the Blessed Mother and St. Thérèse of Lisieux statues, which hold a special place in the hearts of parishioners and passersby, defaced in such a manner.

“The parish is praying for the individual responsible, hoping they may come to know the love of God and receive any help they may need.

“We commend the NYPD for their swift response and diligent investigation into this incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.”

Photos courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.