VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Valdosta’s oldest African American church congregation needs your help restoring its historic architecture — badly damaged by vandalism.

First Antioch Missionary Baptist Church was established in the late 1800s, which members say makes the vandalism to the historic church not just an attack on the building but an attack on the sacred space and the community that was built 157 years ago.

The first incident happened on Sept. 12, shattering the stained-glass windows in the sanctuary. A week later, on Sept. 20, the stained-glass windows in the front of the church were shattered. On Friday, Sept. 26, a window was broken to the back of the church.

Jacqueline Carter, Historical Preservation Chairperson said, “We’re trying to get them repaired, and what I found out is that it is very expensive to do because the glass no longer exists.”

Not only is the expense of the glass keeping the repair from moving forward but the struggle to afford a permanent security system is keeping the historic build in a vulnerable position and limiting Valdosta Police Department’s investigation into the incidents that happened last year.

“They have not found out anything about who did this. And that is because we didn’t have a camera system,” Carter said.

Since the incidents, the church has invested in a temporary security system. Tuesday, January 20, at 5:30 PM community members will be able to learn about the rich history of the church and members will be accepting donations toward restoring the vandalized stained-glass windows at First Antioch.

The historical presentation will be held at First Antioch Baptist Church at 517 North Oak Street in Valdosta.

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