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Arthur Washington Jr.

The stained glass windows in the Port Gibson First Presbyterian Church are over one hundred years old. The church is getting bids for the repair of one after it was smashed by a vandal on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church)

Thermostats were also knocked off the walls by a vandal on Tuesday at the historic First Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson. They will have to be replaced before services can be held there again. (Photo courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church)

Among other damages, every single pew at the First Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson was turned over by a vandal on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church)

Vandalazation of the First Presbyterian Church on Port Gibson on Tuesday included a large number of pews and other pieces of furniture that were turned over. (Photo courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church)

This pipe organ console was damaged by a vandal at the First Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church)

The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man this week for causing significant damage to the First Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson.

Sheriff Edward Goods said that he was contacted by a key holder of the church on Tuesday. Upon arrival, he saw the damage that had been done to the church.

Within hours of investigating, a suspect, Arthur Washington Jr., was interviewed and arrested. Washington is charged with destroying public property, a church building or certain cemetery items.

The pastor of the church, the Rev. Michael Herrin, said the damage was extensive and will take some time to repair.

“The main damage was one window with two sashes of stained glass, and so we’re going to have to get bids on getting that repaired,” Herrin said. “The console for our pipe organ was opened up and some damage was done inside the console. Then that will take, we think, about six weeks to repair.”

The stained glass window that was damaged is estimated to be more than 100 years old.

“All the pews were turned over. All the furniture, everything was turned over,” Herrin said. “The thermostats were knocked off the walls, so we’re having to get those replaced before we can worship in the room.”

Herrin also asked for prayers for both the church’s congregation and for Washington.

Washington was denied bail at his initial appearance in court on Thursday.

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