Vandals Damage Organ In Freehold Church

FREEHOLD, NJ — Authorities are seeking information after someone broke into a Freehold church and vandalized the sanctuary, damaging the church's organ in the process.

Rev. Wil Wilson of First United Methodist Church of Freehold, said the vandalism happened sometime Tuesday night, and had been reported to police.

"It appears someone gained access to the sanctuary last night with the intent of stealing pipes from the organ. This led to the collapse of our decorative pipes and damage to our organ," Wilson wrote in a post on the church's Facebook page.

Wilson said despite the damage, no one was injured and nothing was stolen from the church.

Sunday services at 10 a.m. will go ahead as scheduled, he said. "We will not let this crush our spirits!"

Wilson encouraged the church's members to pray not only for the church's trustees as they navigate the process of fixing the organ, but also for whoever broke into the church.

"May we also pray for the person(s) desperate enough to commit this crime," Wilson wrote.

Freehold police are investigating. Anyone with information should call police at 732-462-1233.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Freehold Patch on Facebook.