DEPUTIES: Woman caught in the act vandalizing 134-year-old church on Good Friday

NASH COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Deputies in Nash County say they caught a woman in the act, vandalizing a historic church on Good Friday.

Jordan Smith was charged with a felony, injury to churches, houses or walls.

Deputies say when they arrived at Floods Chapel Original Free Will Baptist Church outside of Bailey, they saw Smith “actively busting out windows of the church,” with a mailbox that she apparently pulled out of the ground.

Pastor Richie Hogg said five stained glass windows were broken out, a 12-foot tall cross in the front yard toppled, their mailbox ripped up, and damage was done to the lock on the front door.

A neighbor heard beating and loud noises at the church around 5:00 a.m. and called deputies.

Hogg doesn’t believe Smith made it inside and that their insurance will cover the cost of repairs.

The church was built in 1889 and the stained glass windows were over 100 years old, according to the pastor.

The 34-year-old Smith, who is from Whitakers, remains in jail on a $7,500 secured bond.

The church says the damage will not affect Easter Sunday services.

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