Staff writer
Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona was vandalized March 1 by an intruder who drew satanic symbols on the sidewalk, wrote “666” on the pulpit in permanent marker, and damaged an altar cloth.
According to the sheriff’s office offense report, the incident happened between noon and 6:30 p.m.
Besides drawing symbols on the sidewalk and marking on the altar, the intruder also spread chips, rocks, and tissues inside the church and fringe was removed from the altar cloth.
The report estimated the value of damage to the altar cloth and the pulpit at $25 each.
Pastor Clark Davis, also pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Tampa, said the church has not had similar incidents in the past.
“This was a one-time incident,” Davis said.
However, one thing about how things are done will change, Davis said.
“We’ve never locked the church, but that is going to change,” Davis said.
Davis said the church was blessed on Sunday before services began.