Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church was destroyed by vandals on the eve of Thanksgiving early Wednesday morning. Vandals damaged a nearly two-century-old church built by enslaved people in the 1800s and further damaged a new church that replaced the old one in 2001. This small building has been the place of worship for a small predominately African American congregation for nearly two centuries.
The church was established in Holts Summit, Missouri by enslaved people in the early 1800s and was rebuilt in 1869, Pastor Gordon Coleman said. It still stands on its original foundation constructed from logs cut and carried by a horse and buggy.
The rich history of the old church and the fresh start at the new church has been tainted by years of vandalism. For years, Mt. Vernon has experienced vandalism. Mailboxes were burned down, windows broken and shot out, beer cans strewn over the cemetery, tombstones destroyed, trash thrown at the church, and the doors at the old and new churches were kicked in along with much more destruction.
Despite their efforts to protect the old and new churches, they again were vandalized, this time on the eve of Thanksgiving by vandals who destroyed the old church and many items that were there preserving its history.
This time, Vandals knocked down walls, shot out windows and doors, shot fireworks in the church edifice, and pulled out the heating and cooling unit. She said they also turned over and broke pews, tore down the old church's original podium, turned over the refrigerator and stove and destroyed ceiling fans.
Reverend Coleman said he feels a strong obligation to keep the church standing, but said they can't afford to get insurance for the church because of the history of vandalism. The church has created a GoFundMe page to purchase a security system before continuing to rebuild the church.
If you would like to help, here is a link to the GoFundMe page:
www.gofundme.com/...
Saturday, Nov 28, 2020 · 5:07:28 PM +00:00
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The Bassweasel
A church member has sent out this information:
For anyone who would like to give please use the following information and give to the Building Fund.
If you would like to mail in any donations, please send it to:
Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church
PO Box 116
Holts Summit, MO 65043
In the memo please put Building Fund
Any In-Kind contributions please contact Michelle Johnson at mschelle6@gmail.com
We will update our Facebook page regarding volunteer and community opportunities.