Church Desecration Denounced by Coalition of San Francisco Faith Groups

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 9/2/15) – The San Francisco Interfaith Council, San Francisco-based Jewish Community Relations Council, and Islamic Networks Group are shocked and deeply saddened by the racially-motivated act of vandalism perpetrated this past Friday at St. Paul’s Tabernacle Baptist Church on Oakdale Avenue in San Francisco’s Bay View neighborhood.

Desecration of the sanctuary took place as the sacred space neared the conclusion of a five-week renovation. According to news accounts, destruction included racial slurs spray-painted on the Church’s walls and pulpit, the smashing of two large mirrors, bleach poured over the pews and the number “666,” a satanic reference from the New Testament Book of Revelation, painted in yellow in an enclosed window on the Church’s back wall.

We have reached out to the pastor, Bishop Gregory Valentine, and expressed our concern and solidarity with his victimized congregation.