LGBTQ Flag Damaged In 'Escalating Vandalism' At Yardley Church

YARDLEY, PA —The Rev. Canon Hilary Greer wants what she called "escalating anti-LGBTQ vandalism" to end.

The rainbow flag promoting LGBTQ pride at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church off Lake Afton was vandalized Tuesday night —removed from the church's sign, its mounting forcibly broken, and the flag lying in the parking lot smeared with feces," Greer said.

The flag was hung after the repeated theft and vandalism of the church’s Pride rainbow lawn signs proclaiming "Everyone Is Welcome Here,” said Greer, who is also St. Andrew's rector.

Police Chief Joseph Kelly III told Patch Thursday morning that "we have directed patrols to this area and the case remains under investigation."

We ask anyone who may have information or who may have seen anything suspicious to contact Yardley Borough Police or utilize our anonymous reporting link on our webpage.

Kelly said he believed the vandalism happened between 8 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.

“We will pray for those who reject our witness to God’s love, and "We will not be scared or deterred in standing with the LGBTQ community,” Greer said.

She said a new flag was mounted and hung within hours of discovering the one that was destroyed.

“St. Andrew’s is not unique; many Christians support LGBTQ rights because of our faith, not in spite of it,” Greer said. “Too often, churches have been a source of pain and condemnation for many LGBTQ people, and a lot of anti-LGBTQ organizing today is led by people who identify as ‘Christians.’ We placed the Pride flag and signs on our campus as a public witness to our belief in a God who loves and embraces all – and calls Christians to do the same.”

Church vestry member James Bates Norman said, “This flag was not a partisan political statement but a witness of our church’s message and values. Justice is part of our mission.”