An east Belfast church targeted in a racially-motivated arson attack serves dozens of families at a weekly food bank and has a mixed congregation of locals and those from an immigrant background worshipping together.
Police believe an angle-grinder type tool was used to cut a hole in a shutter then flammable liquid poured towards the inside door of the Universal Church on Templemore Street, and set alight.
Scorch damage was caused to the floor and walls while one of the door’s glass panes cracked from the heat and there was also smoke damage to parts of the rest of the building.
Police are seeking two masked males seen arriving at the church close to the corner of Albertbridge Road around 9.30pm.
While the PSNI said the attack is being investigated as a racially-motivated hate crime, the church said the motivation of those involved is unclear.
“It is regrettable that anyone would think of and cause damage to a Christian church that works extremely hard to help and support the local community,” a church spokesperson said.
“We do not know what the reason for the attempted break in is, and won’t speculate, but there is no good reason for causing damage to a property. We certainly do not accept this incident as a reflection of the community as a whole.
“Our pastors and volunteers, and the work these do at the Belfast branch, have always been extremely welcomed and well supported by the local community and we have nothing but love and respect for everyone.
“We are focused on repairing the damage caused, and secure the property as a matter of urgency. The HelpCentre remains open as usual, and the pastor and volunteers are ready to support the community with our daily schedule of prayer services and one-to-one advice sessions.”
The congregation is around 70-strong, with maybe 50-60% locally-born and the rest immigrants from all different backgrounds, according to those close to the church.
It is part of the Brazilian-headquartered global Universal Church for the Kingdom of God (UCKG), which has a presence in more than 100 countries. Templemore Street opened in 2018 but the church has been in Northern Ireland since 2012.
Neither the church nor its members have ever received threats over the years. Its members are focused on cleaning up and fixing the shutters and glass.
The church began operating a food bank last year and now serve around 40 families every week, though there were around 70 on Sunday. They are mainly local people, though some come from beyond.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson, the East Belfast MP, said: ”I’m disgusted by what happened here. It does not reflect the local community in which this church is based.”
East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds said: “This attack is truly appalling and must be robustly condemned by all political parties. There is no place in our community for such hatred and discrimination. I am thankful that there have been no reported injuries from this dangerous attack, and my thoughts are with the members of the church who are now left to pick up the pieces.”
Rev Sammy Robinson, chair of the East Belfast Churches Network, said its members “are deeply saddened that this has happened, especially to a church and organisation which seeks to help people regardless of race or creed here in east Belfast.
“The action of a few will not be allowed to tarnish the good name of ordinary, every day people of east Belfast who would stand with us in condemning this attack,” Rev Robinson said.
“Let us be clear; racism has no place in our community.”
