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Vandalism leaves King’s Chapel in the dust

The Chapel remains empty until week-long cleanup is finished

Chapel. By Jesse Blackwood
Chapel. By Jesse Blackwood

Vandalism that occurred at the King’s Chapel Oct. 3 (see here) has not stopped the Chapel’s congregation from worshipping together. Until the Chapel is open again, services are being held in a blue tent outside the Chapel, and in The Pit, the King’s theatre.

As the Chapel worshippers gather outside in the cold blue tent, a snow-like layer of residue left from the extinguishers covers the Chapel floor, pews and holy icons, leaving an absurd look of peacefulness after a night of pure chaos.

Despite the extensive damage caused by the vandalism, the university’s Chaplain, Reverend Dr. Gary Thorne, does not want the Chapel locked up more than it is already. “If I had my way, it would be open more.” he says. “It belongs to all of the students and should be available whenever.”

Thorne says the damage will cost about $13,000 to repair. Three fire extinguishers were emptied, starting at the front of the Chapel and moving through it in a way that he describes as “systematic” and “determined.” In addition, Thorne says items throughout the Chapel were broken because of “collateral damage.”

This is not the only act of vandalism at a church this year. In August, vandals used a chainsaw to damage sign’s at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Hammonds Plains, according to a story in the Halifax Metro.

Staff and students in the King’s community have reacted mainly with confusion about the possible motive for the vandalism, Thorne says. “They find it hard to put themselves in the mind of someone who would want to damage a Chapel like this. It’s open to everyone and every denomination.”

The investigation of the incident is ongoing and Const. Brian Palmeter, the Halifax Regional Police spokesperson, says no charges have been laid. He agrees there is no obvious motive. “It’s what I refer to as a senseless act,” he says.” It’s an unfortunate reminder that people will break into just about anywhere.”

The challenge of maintaining the balance between Chapel security and availability is not unique to King’s. The Reverend Andrea Budgey is the Chaplain at the University of Toronto’s Trinity College Chapel. She says their Chapel has also suffered vandalism. “There’s a certain amount of risk we have to take,” she says, “in order to make sure [the Chapel] is open to all students.”

Although it has not been confirmed that alcohol was involved with the King’s Chapel vandalism, Budgey says from her experience it may have been a factor. Trinity College Chapel experienced problems with sign stealing during their orientation week. “It was likely a combination of alcohol and initiation,” she says. “It’s wonderful what most of a 2-4 will do for you in terms of alcohol-induced courage.”

The clean up of the King’s Chapel is expected to take about a week; however, the Chapel remains untouched at the time of print. A professional cleaning crew is needed, because the discharged fire extinguishers contain chemicals that require special handling.

Thorne says the first service in The Pit, held on Oct. 6, was wonderful. He said a lot of hard work by a group of 20 students went into the set-up. “They did it simply because adoration and contemplation is a part of their lives.”

In a letter released to the King’s community, Thorne signed off with the words, “Let us bear one another burdens as becometh friends.”

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