Investigation Underway After Camden County Church Vandalized
LINDENWOLD, NJ (CBS) – Authorities are investigating after a church was vandalized in Lindenwold, New Jersey.
Saint Lawrence Church at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine was vandalized on Wednesday, officials say.
The church, located at 135 N. White Horse Pike, was broken into between 11:30 a.m. and noon.
Several exterior and interior stained glass windows were broken in the incident. Authorities say the vandal or vandals also knocked over the church's paschal candle, the papal flag and the cross on the altar.
The windows were allegedly smashed with the glass votive candle holders located in the shrine area.
The damage is estimated to be thousands of dollars.
Officials say no money or items were stolen.
"Nothing was robbed, nothing was taken and that made it even more distressing for us, because we knew that somebody came in with the intent of doing damage," says Father Capella, the church's pastor.
For the immediate future, Saint Lawrence Church will only be used for scheduled events and masses.
"We thank God no visitor was in the church when whoever did this entered and committed this crime. Again, please pray for the person responsible for this atrocity done to our Lord's house," says Father Capella.
KYW Newradio's Justin Udo contributed to this report.