THIRD WARD – A historic, Black church in Houston’s Third Ward has been the target of a recent attack and repeated vandalism, costing them thousands of dollars.
“We’ve had an individual at least nine times break into our church, break our stained glass windows,” Pastor David Punch said.
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The Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Trulley Street is a staple in the community.
“We are 142 years old. We’ve been in this community since 1881,” Pastor Punch said.
KPRC 2′s Re’Chelle Turner spoke briefly with the pastor of the church, Dr. David Punch who says the most recent incident involving this suspect happened this past Saturday.
Timothy David Anderson, 42, used some kind of boulder to break the stained window glass, witnesses say.
Punch says Anderson also attacked the church’s 70-year-old caretaker who tried stopping him from breaking the stained window glass. Turner spoke to the caretaker who is doing much better. He didn’t want to speak on camera, but wants Anderson to stop breaking into the church.
Anderson has a lengthy criminal history that dates to 2005.
Some of the charges include Harassment of a Public Servant, Burglary of a building, Assault, Trespassing, and Possession of Marijuana.
Anderson has broken the glass windows at this particular church at least nine different times. Anderson also broke into the church’s food pantry that is used to help people in the community every Tuesday.
“We cannot figure out why he continues to vandalize our church and he’s done other churches as well, but, I mean, we’re right here able to help him and assist him. One time, we caught him, and he came inside and said, Timothy, why did you break the window? And he said, well, I wanted to come into the church. I said, Timothy, there’s the door, you used the door not the window. He said, oh. So, you know, homelessness, mental health issues are really replete in many of our, you know, poor communities and this individual suffers from both,” he said.
Pastor Punch says it’s a big problem, and the repairs add up to about $50,000.
“It’s a tremendous financial burden for us just for someone to keep doing it,” he said.
Anderson is currently in jail and is charged with two felonies, Criminal Mischief and Injury to Elderly. Pastor Punch has offered to help Anderson, but he keeps coming back and damaging the church.
“I believe this individual needs help. Beyond just, you know, us providing him some commodities, and maybe even ministering to him spiritually. I mean, there is a tremendous need for more, I believe, homeless services and mental health services to many of our community members who are the last and least in the loss,” he said.
Court documents show Anderson has not been given a personal bond for some cases. He has served jail time in jail, but for some offenses his case was dismissed.
He is currently in jail and a judge set his bond at $20,000.
If you would like to help Pastor Punch repair the stained glass windows, send him an email: pastorpunch@yahoo.com.