(WMC-TV) – Churches and cemeteries should be peaceful places, but members of Old Trinity Episcopal Church in Mason, Tennessee said that is not the case after their historic house of worship has been desecrated by vandals.
Old Trinity Episcopal Church and Cemetery sit on the National Historic Register. Most recently, it has also made history for being a target for thieves and vandals.
“It hurts, it hurts, you can’t imagine anybody wanting to break up baby’s graves,” said caretaker Alida Gover.
Last week, Gover was visiting the cemetery when she noticed several hundred-year-old grave markers toppled and broken.
She said this is not the first time this historic place has been targeted.
“It’s been here since my ancestors were newcomers to these parts,” Gover continued.
Thieves are taking portions of the granite tombstones after they are knocked down.
The inside of Old Trinity Church is also being vandalized. Gover said about a month ago, vandals shot a gun inside.
“Peppered the back wall, broke windows, broke up pews,” said Gover.
Several teens were arrested after a vandalism here several years ago.
Gover suspects teenagers are also behind the most recent cases.
“I wish they would come back out here when we have a service and see what it means to people and how much other people care about this place,” Gover added.
The Tipton County Sheriff’s Department said there have been no arrests in this case.
If you have information that could help them solve these cases, call Tipton County Crime Stoppers at 901-476-4411.
[2011 WMC-TV , September 7, 2011 at 4:42 PM CDT – Updated June 25 at 9:15 AM]