Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

Criminals’ efforts to tear down churches wound up building bridges instead

The plain red brick church with the cross in front sits just passed a sign, off an unpaved road, indicating the ending of police jurisdiction.

Woodland Baptist Church in the Ladonia area, just west of Phenix City, was the victim of arson and vandalism that was reported on Jan. 4, 2008. Three other churches in the area were vandalized or burned around the same time.

The damage at Woodland was extensive — estimated at more than $500,000 — and its contents were virtually destroyed. Inside, arsonists had written these words: “Teach the children to worship Satan.”

After worshiping in temporary facilities, members will re-dedicate their rebuilt building at a 10 a.m. service Sunday. The Rev. Wayne Burns of the Russell Baptist Association will preach.

“The Lord brings good out of bad,” said the Rev. Bobby Watford, Woodland’s pastor for the past 12 years. “We have a closer relationship with the Lord, and with other people.” Right after the Woodland fire, the church marquee said: God is still in control.

Others victimized

The four churches are in Russell or Lee counties and sit within 15 miles of each other.

Greater Peace and Goodwill AME Church on Brown Road in Crawford was the first victim. The Russell County Sheriff’s Department was called at 3:17 p.m. New Year’s Day 2008 to a fire at the church. Arson was suspected after the federal ATF, State Fire Marshal and sheriff’s department found accelerants in the building at varying points of origin.

Then, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department was called at 8:30 a.m. the next day to Concord Baptist Church on Lee Road 251 in Salem, in reference to church vandalism. Investigators found several areas of destruction, as well as satanic graffiti painted in several locations of the church.

And at 4 p.m. Jan. 3, the Lee department was called to a fire at Greater Bethelpore Baptist Church, also on Lee Road 251 in Salem. Investigators found accelerants in multiple places, leading them to suspect arson. They also discovered several areas of vandalism to a graveyard beside the church.

The last fire was reported at Woodland Baptist Church, located on Ladonia’s Bayview Drive.

Six days after the burnings and vandalisms, authorities announced the arrest of two Smiths Station men in the case.

Geoffrey Tyler Parquette, 21, and James Scott Clark, 21, both 2005 graduates of Smiths Station High School, were held on a variety of charges.

The suspects claimed to be involved in satanic activity. Both remain in the Alabama prison system. Parquette is in the Bullock Correctional Facility in Union Springs, Ala., and Clark is in the Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore, Ala. Both are due to be released in 2013, records show.

“The motive in this case was ‘the devil made me do it,’ ” Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives office in Nashville, Tenn., said at the time. He added that “the devil couldn’t keep these men out of jail. The outcome will be rebuilt churches. They will be rebuilt and be stronger.”