Face of Nation : St John’s Church in Stratford was attacked three times in just 24 hours, as St Matthew’s in West Ham and Cann Hall Road Baptist Church in Leytonstone also suffered damage. Pentagrams and ‘666’ symbols, symbolising devil, were etched into the doors of churches in an apparent anti-religion attack. Temporary fencing is being placed at the 175-year-old St John’s Church to protect the doors which have been the focal point of the attacks. On Wednesday morning, burned rubbish was discovered next to a door at the church, this was followed by another attempt on the same door at 7:30pm which left scarring damage. Just four hours later another entrance was set on fire, this time destroying the door.
Speaking to the Newham Recorder, Reverend David Richards, Vicar of St John’s Church, said: “We’re taking steps to protect our doors, which we don’t like doing because the green space is a wonderful resource for people, so we’re hoping the person who did this will be caught as soon as possible.
“Police are investigating and we’re asking everyone to be vigilant.
“We’re sure someone would have seen something because it’s a very public space, with buses going past every few minutes including night buses.”
Cann Hall Road faced two arson attacks which left the churchyard noticeboard completely destroyed, while the front doors have been badly scarred with burn marks.
A fire was started early yesterday morning against the church hall door, but was extinguished quickly when those inside began to smell the smoke.
Just hours later, fire crews were called to a second blaze in the churchyard as arsonists set fire to the main church doors which were completely alight.
According to the church’s website, the building has stood on the site for over 130 years, opening in June 1887.
Speaking to the East London and West Essex Guardian, John Edney, church secretary of Cann Hall Road Baptist Church in Leytonstone, said: “The board was completely destroyed as well as paintwork on two doors which are badly scarred with burn marks.”
A local resident revealed in a social media group that children were inside the church at the time of the first fire, with a brave childminder putting out the flames.
The Metropolitan Police said that they were appealing for witnesses and information as they confirmed graffiti was found on all three churches that were set on fire.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: “At this early stage in the investigation, the fires are being treated as suspicious and the incidents are being investigated by the North East area’s Community Support Unit, who are keeping an open mind as to the motive.”
