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Vandalized church decides not to remove graffiti for now

BROWN COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — A church that was recently vandalized doesn’t plan to remove the graffiti any time soon.

Someone spray painted “Heil Trump” and drew a swastika on St. David’s Episcopal Church in Bean Blossom over the weekend.

Church leaders say they were targeted because the church is known for being inclusive, and that is why they say the graffiti will remain up a little longer.

The church held a meeting with members as well as people in the community Wednesday to talk about the graffiti.

Rev. Kelsey Hutto said at first they were shocked and hurt but she was encouraged by the support the church has received from the community and its members.

“The mood has been very strong,” Hutto said. “They have been very faithful. I keep saying that I couldn’t be more proud of them. They are taking their call as Christians and loving Christians to the extreme, and they are standing tall and they’re walking proud.”

The vandalism was one of a number of incidents across the country since Donald Trump won the presidential election.

Hutto said she forgives the person or people behind the offensive graffiti.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident. It is the first time the church has been vandalized since 1959.

The cleanup of the graffiti will take place November 30. The church is located at 11 West State Road 45 in Bean Blossom. Everyone is welcome