COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Sumter community church has been vandalized, leaving the church with no working air conditioning. According to the Sumter Police Department, this is the third time in the last month that the church's property has been tampered with.
In total, the church estimates there have been roughly $80,000 worth of damages that now need immediate repair.
“For us to serve the community—we have been doing it since the '80s—and to have people come and break into the church, steal from the church, and destroy the church. We have been doing so much in the community, it's just kind of heartbreaking,” said church member Vincent Ferguson.
Over a month ago, an unknown suspect broke into the basement of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church on S Main Street and took the copper parts out of the AC unit, breaking the unit.
The church filed a police report, but Ferguson said it didn't stop there. “Last week, somebody came on Tuesday and tore up the outside unit and took the copper and compressors. They then came back the very next night and got the other one.”
The church, over 100 years old, has two buildings. One is used for services, while the other is utilized as a soup kitchen to feed those in need daily. Currently, the soup kitchen is the only part of the church with working AC.
“So, we have to move all of our Sunday services into this part of the church, but it's a setup, takedown, setup, takedown,” Ferguson explained.
Although the air conditioning will need to be fixed before they can hold Sunday services, soup kitchen volunteer Jean Williams is grateful the church is still able to provide daily meals for those in need. “Even though somebody did that, I know there are people that need this meal,” said Williams.
Williams has been involved on and off with the soup kitchen since its opening in 1982, and said the thefts don’t diminish the need to help the community.
“I guess it's just good to know that we have a service providing for people that really need it, and they also appreciate it. I know they do,” Williams said.
Sumter police are working to find who is responsible, and Ferguson says prayer is more than welcome.
“We're just asking for prayers because we are doing the best we can and it's hot,” Ferguson said with optimism.
The Sumter Police Department confirmed they are investigating the three incidents and said if anyone has any information to contact Crimestoppers with tips.
For anyone wanting to make donations to the church, they can be sent to them at 1203 Sumter SC 29151.