After a series of vandalism strikes last week, Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington was forced to temporarily close its doors and hold all worship services virtually. The church is now assessing the damage before moving toward reconstruction and rebuilding.
Senior pastor Timothy Mark Harris said reconstruction could take several weeks; a cost estimate is still not known.
Because it is unable to hold in-person services, Mount Pisgah, at 801 W. Market St., is partnering with Second Presbyterian Church, at 404 N. Prairie St., to hold worship at 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
Harris said more than 60 churches in the Bloomington-Normal area have reached out to offer support along with many others who are part of the Mount Pisgah community.
"All over the nation, we're having members that were here, a part of this ministry, we're having friends, literally all over the nation making calls and texts, emails. So, we are just thankful to God for all of that," Harris said.
The Bloomington Election Commission also moved two voting precincts to Grossinger Motors Arena for the March 19 primary election because Mount Pisgah is not usable now.
Harris said a baseball bat was used to cause damage and break six to seven windows, a monitor and components for the church’s microphone and sound system late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Additionally, two fire extinguishers were used to coat the sanctuary and hallway. The basement and bathroom also were damaged.
“Significant damage is to the point that it needs to be professionally cleaned, professionally handled to ensure safety,” Harris said. “The sanctuary has significant damage and throughout the building there is some damage, so we’re actually leaning on professional help to do that. But after that is completed we will be making a reach out to our partners in ministry and let everybody know what we need.”
Mount Pisgah is one of Bloomington-Normal’s largest predominantly Black churches with about 500 members.
“As a senior pastor, I have a shepherd’s heart, so there’s a protection mode that came in,” Harris said. “I wanted to make sure everything, everyone would be safe and I had some sense of righteous indignation. As we were touring after the police did their part, they let us go into the sanctuary and I just stopped right at the doors and bowed my head in prayer. I had seen with my eyes the damage, but as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw restoration and renewal.”
“It’s time to just move forward, thank God that no one was injured or hurt, pray for that young lady and then keep moving,” Harris continued.
A woman was taken into custody in connection with the vandalism at Mount Pisgah, and also at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and several west Bloomington businesses.
