The sheriff’s office is investigating after a vandal or vandals spray-painted a swastika, racial slurs and other messages on the Nativity Lutheran Church in Wonder Lake.
The incident was reported to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Communication Specialist Emily Matusek said deputies responded to a vandalism report at the church, located at 3506 East Wonder Lake Road in Wonder Lake.
Deputies found spray paint on the front sign and the west face of the church.
Matusek said racial and religious epithets were left by the vandal or vandals.
“We are saddened by the hatred in our world and our community. Our building was vandalized with hate speech and symbols,” the church said in a social media post.
“If anyone has any information please contact us. Also if anyone can help us clean up the outside of our building it would also be appreciated,” the post said.
No one entered or broke into the building.
Nativity Lutheran Church Pastor Susie Hill told ABC7 that it “just seems like a random hate crime” and that nothing is going to stop her from sharing her message of joy and love.
“Today our food pantry is open. We are doing ministry today. We are gonna do ministry tomorrow, we’re gonna do it the next day,” Hill said.
Matusek said Thursday afternoon that no one has been charged in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information regarding the crime is asked to call the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 815-338-2144 or email [email protected].