I was a victim of a hate crime

[Mrs_Strizzle]

In the spring of this year my husband and I bought a beautiful abandoned church to renovate and turn in to an event space such as wedding and parties. Since the moment I laid eyes on it I knew we had to have it. It has an incredible wood beamed dome with stained glass, and is an all brick Greek revival. I have named it Angelica's, after my husband's late grandmother. She was a former nun in her native country before legally immigrating to America and marrying Grandpa. She was beautiful inside and out, and it was an obvious name for the building.

Though the building was built in ** and was originally a Baptist church, in ** an Islamic center bought it. They outgrew the space and built outside of town, hence why it was for sale. We were asked if we were turning it into a bar by the Islamic center prior to accepting our offer, and we said no. We did not elaborate on our plans.

Tonight we had vandals break in, destroy things we've added, and paint over the stained glass. Though the damage could have been so much worse, it was painfully obvious this was a hate crime to us as well as the Deputy. I don't wish to perpetuate any hate or anger, so I will leave it at that.

I guess I just needed to vent here, as I'm in shock that it it happened, and so incredibly sad.

 

[AV_]

I hear you ... There is some amount of such idiotic 'sport' in my neighbourhood too - and this is the most quiet, peaceable place on Earth!

Last week, it was the turn of 'my shop' - i.e. a place I pass by a few times a week at least, a grocery that looks like a great, old school pantry!: damage, dread & grand theft of cheese and almond cookies... Most awful: the owner fealt personally targeted, vulnerable... - although there could be nothing about her. Hate of Nothing & anything.

Dam'!

-
I hope for the best, of course... Also, to see the place. (if you are not loath of posting pictures after all this)

 

[MamaBee]

In the spring of this year my husband and I bought a beautiful abandoned church to renovate and turn in to an event space such as wedding and parties. Since the moment I laid eyes on it I knew we had to have it. It has an incredible wood beamed dome with stained glass, and is an all brick Greek revival built in 1908. I have named it Angelica's, after my husband's late grandmother. She was a former nun in her native country before legally immigrating to America and marrying Grandpa. She was beautiful inside and out, and it was an obvious name for the building.

Though the building was built in 1908 and was originally a Baptist church, in 2009 an Islamic center bought it. They outgrew the space and built outside of town, hence why it was for sale. We were asked if we were turning it into a bar by the Islamic center prior to accepting our offer, and we said no. We did not elaborate on our plans.

Tonight we had vandals break in, destroy things we've added, and paint over the stained glass. Though the damage could have been so much worse, it was painfully obvious this was a hate crime to us as well as the Deputy. I don't wish to perpetuate any hate or anger, so I will leave it at that.

I guess I just needed to vent here, as I'm in shock that it it happened, and so incredibly sad.

I’m so sorry this happened to you @Mrs_Strizzle...Are the police investigating this further? I hope they find out who did this..How sad..

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

Yes the police have been and documented. They dusted for fingerprints to no avail. I doubt we will ever find who did this, but it has been documented as a hate crime and a burglary. Here's a few pics, although they don't show how beautiful she really is.

 

[Maria D]

I'm very sorry this happened. What a beautiful structure! Pointless vandalism is sickening enough without the hate crime element added to it. I hope the damage can be corrected, especially those glorious stained glass windows.

@Mrs_Strizzle, you should know that it took me less than 5 minutes to find the exact address of your building. If it's your intent to have complete anonymity here you should edit some details of your post.

 

[AV_]

.

Beautiful brick! Certainly not something I see around.

At least that this remains the only unpleasant surprise for a long, long time...

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I'm very sorry this happened. What a beautiful structure! Pointless vandalism is sickening enough without the hate crime element added to it. I hope the damage can be corrected, especially those glorious stained glass windows.

@Mrs_Strizzle, you should know that it took me less than 5 minutes to find the exact address of your building. If it's your intent to have complete anonymity here you should edit some details of your post.

How can I edit? I've never known how

 

[Maria D]

How can I edit? I've never known how

I think you can only edit for a certain amount of time, maybe 30 minutes after posting? Contact a moderator and ask them to edit it for you. I think you can click the triangle with the exclamation point at the bottom of your post to do that. The dates and specific names along with the number on the building should be changed or eliminated.

 

[MamaBee]

It’s so beautiful! I hope you will install cameras and a security system if you haven’t done so already.

 

[MollyMalone]

Oh I'm so sorry about this ugly violation

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

It’s so beautiful! I hope you will install cameras and a security system if you haven’t done so already.

Yes, hubby has spent the evening doing this. The ironic thing is they were in the building, just not installed. That won't be happening again

 

[the_mother_thing]

Really beautiful building and a great idea for breathing new life into it as a venue space.

Terribly sad to hear what has happened to you/your property. I hope the perps are caught and held responsible to the fullest extent.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

So sorry this happened, people just do not have respect for themselves or another's property these days, no standards and too much hate.

It is a beautiful building though.

 

[AGBF]

I would never have thought of looking up the address of your property, Mrs Strizzle, but since Maria did so, I did so as well. It led me read that the Islamic Center that was once on that site (if I understand correctly) was vandalized in 2015. It sounds as if there is a lot of anti-Muslim prejudice in that community. I hope everything improves for all communities.

 

[asscherisme]

I am so sorry this happened. It hurts my heart.

 

[Jambalaya]

I'm really, really sorry that this has happened to you.

Your building is gorgeous.

 

[Calliecake]

I’m so sorry Mrs Strizzle.

 

[WhatAboutTheCats]

@Mrs_Strizzle , I agree with PPs. You should definitely obfuscate the info because I found the exact location of your property in probably 15 seconds (I wouldn't have thought to look if others hadn't mentioned how easily it can be located). I'm really sorry that you and your husband were victimized by these vandals. I hope they're caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I haven't been to the precise city but I have visited the state and I came away with the feeling that there are quite a few intolerant people in certain communities.

 

[caf]

Yes the police have been and documented. They dusted for fingerprints to no avail. I doubt we will ever find who did this, but it has been documented as a hate crime and a burglary. Here's a few pics, although they don't show how beautiful she really is

Wowsa she is gorgeous! I love her brick work and color. She is perfectly proportioned. I want her!

Shameful that you were victimized! So sorry!

 

[AprilBaby]

Beautiful building. I’m not sure I understand why it was targeted? They think it’s an Islamic building? Or the Muslims are upset you might have parties there? Or maybe it’s just stupid k.ds? Best wishes with your endeavor!

 

[monarch64]

Beautiful building. I’m not sure I understand why it was targeted? They think it’s an Islamic building? Or the Muslims are upset you might have parties there? Or maybe it’s just stupid k.ds? Best wishes with your endeavor!

I'm also confused! So sorry this happenened.
A few years ago here we had a hate crime/vandalism of a church that was perpetuated by a church member himself and made to LOOK like it was an outside job. None of the congregation or clergy had any idea this person, who had belonged since they were a child, had it in them to pull such a stunt! Just so creepy to know that 1. there are hate groups who target their "opponents," and 2. there are those who want to make it look like there are horrible people out to get them/frame another group. Yuck all around! Sending positive thoughts and wishing you healing as you get things restored to their previous beauty!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Beautiful building!. I'm sorry that you and your husband were victimized. .I hope they're caught and prosecuted.

 

[arkieb1]

Beautiful building. I’m not sure I understand why it was targeted? They think it’s an Islamic building? Or the Muslims are upset you might have parties there? Or maybe it’s just stupid k.ds? Best wishes with your endeavor!

That's terrible I'm sorry this has happened to your property -I thought the same thing as AprilBaby was it a hate crime towards the former group that owned it or the former group that owned it thinking you were going to put alcohol into there, or just kids being idiots.

 

[missy]

I am so sorry this happened to you @Mrs_Strizzle. There have been a number of hate crimes in our area too..anti semitic in nature. Defacing synagogue property and anti semitic graffiti as well. Heartbreaking but not shocking. People hating others for no reason. The cause of many of the world's ills and as long as people are ignorant and fearful and mean there is no solution.


IMO there is no good rationalization for excusing crimes like these. Even if caused by "kids being kids" that is so NOT OK in my book. This is how hate is rationalized and made to be innocent when it should never be accepted and made to be just kids behaving like dumb kids. This is malicious evil behavior. IMO.

I am so sorry this happened to you and your family and I hope the criminals are caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

That's terrible I'm sorry this has happened to your property -I thought the same thing as AprilBaby was it a hate crime towards the former group that owned it or the former group that owned it thinking you were going to put alcohol into there, or just kids being idiots.

The vandals were definitely wanted it to stay a place of worship, I suppose, as the dug out items left from the previous owners and put them in plain sight. They also threw our items outside into the grass from my daughter's sweet 16 party we had there in Oct. They also made it evident that they have an issue with women. I don't know if it is because of the name we put on the sign out front, or because we switched the larger nicer restroom to the Women's for the single stall how it was prior.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

@Mrs_Strizzle , I agree with PPs. You should definitely obfuscate the info because I found the exact location of your property in probably 15 seconds (I wouldn't have thought to look if others hadn't mentioned how easily it can be located). I'm really sorry that you and your husband were victimized by these vandals. I hope they're caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I haven't been to the precise city but I have visited the state and I came away with the feeling that there are quite a few intolerant people in certain communities.

Although there will always be people that do and say things that are antisocial and hateful, I will say that hubby and I grew up in California but live in Georgia for many reasons. One is how friendly, welcoming, and truly good people are here. It was quite the culture shock at first, because I wasnt expecting strangers to truly care and go out of their way without selfish intentions. If we decide to stay in the U.S. for retirement (we were looking in Nicaragua earlier this year before their recent civil unrest) we will never leave the South.

 

[AGBF]

The vandals were definitely wanted it to stay a place of worship, I suppose, as the dug out items left from the previous owners and put them in plain sight. They also threw our items outside into the grass from my daughter's sweet 16 party we had there in Oct. They also made it evident that they have an issue with women. I don't know if it is because of the name we put on the sign out front, or because we switched the larger nicer restroom to the Women's for the single stall how it was prior.

I just read this. Now I have more information on the nature of the vandalism that occurred this time. Like another poster, I had assumed it was tied to the former use of your property, especially since it was vandalized when it was a Muslim center. I guess hatred knows no boundaries. You appear to have been the target of the hate. I am so sorry.

Whatever the group doing the vandalism, it is terrible. Hate crimes are unacceptable. I wish that everyone spoke out against them no matter who was the target.

I hope you get a lot of support from the community to refurbish your building and keep it safe to use for all the functions you had hoped to use it.

Hugs,
(((Mrs Strizzle)))
Deb

 

[ame]

That bothers me so much. Two new mosques were built/renovated near my house in the last year and both were very heavily damaged.

 

[WhatAboutTheCats]

.......live in Georgia for many reasons. One is how friendly, welcoming, and truly good people are here. It was quite the culture shock at first, because I wasnt expecting strangers to truly care and go out of their way without selfish intentions. If we decide to stay in the U.S. for retirement (we were looking in Nicaragua earlier this year before their recent civil unrest) we will never leave the South.

I think perhaps ones mileage will vary. One’s experience of living in your current state of residence (good and bad) is at least heavily influenced by one’s phenotype (non-whites for example). Even in CA, ones experience will vary due to the politically/culturally different cities (Coastal vs inland for example).

 

[tkyasx78]

I am so sorry. I will never understand what good people think they will bring by hurting others. What is wrong with people I hope the people are caught soon. Things like this just make me sick.

Side note : You will want to have the mod's come back again and remove the name of the building and where you are located. It is still very simple to find your information, even though your original post was edited.