Historic West Warwick church vandalized

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island's oldest standing Catholic church is still cleaning-up after being struck by vandals earlier this month.

Graffiti still remained on the rectory wall of St. Mary's Church in West Warwick Tuesday, more than two weeks after the vandalism took place.

Father Douglas Spina tells Eyewitness News a parishioner saw two youths spray painting the church after dark on November 12.  By the time police arrived, the culprits were gone.

"I'm hoping that the kids who did this realize the serious nature of what they did," said Father Spina.

In addition to the graffiti on the rectory, the vandals also knocked over three tombstones at the St. Mary's cemetery, and spray painted the historic wall in front of the church, which dates back to the 19th century.

"It survived the civil war without damage but unfortunately not the budding artists of West Warwick," Father Spina joked.

The damage is estimated at about $2,000.  Father Spina says he wants the vandals to perform community service for the church, once they are caught.