Vandals Strike Middle River Church Again

has been a part of the Middle River community .

During that time, parishioners say the church has gone through its ups and downs. Yet, several members of the congregation believe the last year may be the one of the most trying in its 239-year history.

Follow Essex-Middle River Patch on Facebook and Twitter and receive daily updates through our newsletters.

Over the last year, vandals have caused thousands of dollars in damage to the church, including Sunday night when someone smashed the entrance sign and seven windows in the building.

This came a month after five windows were broken at the church’s Sunday school, church administrative assistant Vicki Borreson said. The church is also still recovering from a pair of burglaries last year when it had for the copper tubing.

Borreson said church members could at least understand the copper thefts last year, which is part of a growing trend in the county and led to the to tackle the issue. But, the most recent cases of vandalism, she added, makes no sense because nothing was stolen.

Searching for Answers

“Why would anyone want to destroy a house of God,” Borreson said. “There is just no reason for it. Someone to attack a church like this either doesn’t believe in God or is mad at God for whatever reason.”

Jean Milavec, a member of the church since 1961, shared a similar sentiment.

“I just don’t understand what is going on with this world today,” she said. “This church is owned by the Lord and why anyone would want to attack the Lord is beyond me.”

The rash of thefts and vandalism has left the church scrambling for a plan to not only repair the church, but also ensure future crimes don’t occur.

Borreson said many church members have theories as to why they have been targeted, including some in the community being angered over the church’s decision to house several homeless people over the winter.

“Helping the homeless is part of the church’s mission,” Borreson said. “We have always taken steps to check the backgrounds of those we help and make sure there are people at the church assisting in the care. I hope someone wouldn’t want to destroy the church over this program.”

Baltimore County police Lt. Joseph Jamerson of the Essex precinct said a witness told officer she saw two males by the sign around 2:40 a.m. after she heard a loud noise.

She then went to call police and when she went to look back at the church the two males were gone, Jamerson added.

"This appears to be a case of pure vandalism," Jamerson said. "We will increase patrols in the community and work with the church and neighbors to find those responsible for this."

‘A Sliver Lining’

Borreson said there has been a silver lining to the recent crimes committed against the church. When word spread about the latest vandalism, church members turned out by the dozens to assist with the cleanup efforts on Monday.

In addition, James Burns, who owns Cable Connexions, a Dundalk-based home entertainment and security installation company, donated $3,000 worth of high-end surveillance equipment to the church.

Burns, along with several of his employees, were out at the church Tuesday to install the cameras; a job he estimates would have cost $18,000 when the retail cost of the equipment and the labor are factored into the installation.

“My mother heard about the vandalism on the news and called me [Monday] and told me she felt I could help,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot in my life and I’m at the point where I have to give back what I have received. It’s just the right thing to do.”

Carl Hurst, who has attended services at Orems United Methodist since 1964, said the outreach from the community has been unbelievable.

Along with the donated security equipment, the church has received calls about how they can help, either through monetary donations, volunteering and/or hosting fundraisers to help cover the cost of repairing the windows and purchasing additional security upgrades.

“These crimes have been a real invasion of privacy and has made some wonder if the church is safe,” Hurst said. “It’s just been amazing to see so many people who want to help. Now all we need to do is find out who did this, but more importantly, to understand why.”

______

Those interested in offering assistance to Orems United Methodist Church can call 410-687-9483