UPDATE: $10K Reward Offered in Church Vandalism, 'Whites Only' Graffiti

UPDATED at 7: 15 p.m. Monday SILVER SPRING, MD — A reward of $10,000 is being offered for tips that lead to the arrest of whoever vandalized a sign advertising the Spanish-language Mass at an Episcopal Church and the wall of the parish's memorial garden in Silver Spring, authorities said.

The words, "Trump Nation. Whites Only," were painted on the sign and wall at Episcopal Church of Our Savior, 1700 Powder Mill Road, sometime Saturday night, according to Montgomery County Police. The department called the act "hate-based vandalism."

A priest from the church discovered the graffiti about 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

"I am heartsick, and can only imagine how the people of Our Saviour, one of the most culturally diverse parishes in the diocese, feel," Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington said in a Facebook post. "I will be with Our Saviour’s Spanish-language congregation for Mass at 1 pm, and I invite as many of you as are able to join me there. In your services this morning, I hope that you can include prayers for the people of Our Saviour and let your congregations know of the invitation to gather with them in solidarity at 1 pm today."

On its website, the church says its community is an eclectic mix of original church founders, young families, and individuals representing many racial and cultural traditions around the world.

Anyone with information about this vandalism or the suspect(s) is asked to contact investigators at 240-773-6870.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Solvers of Montgomery County is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s). Tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Image via Google Street View