Richland Deputies Look for Church Vandals

IRMO, S.C. (AP) – Richland County sheriff’s deputies are looking for vandals that have hit at least two churches in the Irmo area. Deputies were called to Shady Grove United Methodist Church after someone spray-painted atheist messages on the building. Someone sprayed the phrase “God(equals)Delusion” on the side of the building last weekend. On Monday, deputies found the words, “There is no God,” on the side of the building and “Atheism” on a concrete slab near the entrance. Investigators say the incidents are similar to vandalism at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Irmo in May. Deputies found a swastika painted on that church’s basketball court.