Church vandalized and congregation’s van was on fire, SC sheriff says
Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating the recent vandalism of church property, according to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.
A window at Lebanon United Presbyterian Church in Ridgeway and the congregation’s van were damaged Monday night, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. That’s near the junction with S.C. 34, about 3 miles from Exit 34 on Interstate 77.
At about 7:30 p.m., members of the Fairfield County Fire Service responded to a report of a smoking church van at the church’s parking lot, according to the release.
Firefighters found the driver’s side window of the van had been smashed with a brick before they extinguished the flames, the sheriff’s office said.
At the same time, deputies responded to an alarm at the church, where they discovered two bricks had been thrown through a window, according to the release.
It appears that no one entered the church, but the damage to the van was significant and the vehicle was considered a total loss, the sheriff’s office said.
No injuries were reported.
There was no word on a motive for the incident.
The vandalism is being investigated by the sheriff’s office and fire service, along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and ATF.
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This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 8:18 AM.
