Rep. Weddington Outraged by Local Church Vandalism
Posted 08-20-09
COLUMBUS –State Representative W. Carlton Weddington (D-Columbus) today visited the Mt. Vernon Avenue AME Church and expressed his outrage at the vandalism. The church was defaced by graffiti last night with obscene language tagged along the base of the outside church walls. This is the second time this month the church has been vandalized.
Mt. Vernon Avenue AME church sits on the corner of Mt. Vernon Ave. and 21st Street in the 27th Ohio House district.
Rep. Weddington spoke with congregation leader Reverend Dr. William S. Wheatley during his visit today.
“I was saddened to hear the news of the Church’s defacing last week, but to see this morning’s graffiti upsets me even more,” said Rep. Weddington. “It is truly horrible to see the neighborhood disrespected in this way. I have seen firsthand the service this church provides to the community. I know countless members of the church and have attended services there, and I know the congregation is just as sickened and outraged as I am.”
Mt. Vernon Ave. AME has both weekday and Sunday services. The Church also gives to the community through a food pantry, Sunday school classes, choirs, college tours, a community garden, vacation bible school, community events, and music lesions. The church hosts community meetings, student groups, and provides a place for refuge for the surrounding community.