ST. LOUIS – A north St. Louis bishop says his church has been targeted multiple times in recent months, costing them thousands of dollars in damages. At least two of the incidents were caught on camera.

The most recent occurred on Wednesday at the Pentecostal Church of God off of West Florissant Avenue. The church’s surveillance footage appears to show three teenagers breaking into cars in the church’s parking lot while church members were meeting inside preparing ahead of Sunday’s service.

Another incident occurred in late December. Surveillance footage captures a woman kicking in the glass on the church’s front doors, causing around $1,500 in damages.

Earlier last year, the church said someone stripped off copper roofing facing West Florissant Avenue. That incident was also caught on camera.

Longtime Bishop Terence E. Coleman is most disappointed in a seemingly new trend of vandalism against places of worship.

“Years ago, people had a lot of honor and respect for the house of God,” Coleman said. “But you don’t have that today.”

He noted that it seems young people are more willing to cross certain lines than in prior generations.

“People will take things out on the church: property, cars, maybe try to break in,” Coleman said. “Even though you may not be a true believer, you (used to) say, ‘Hey, I’m going to respect the house of God.’”

The church and its members are paying for these recent damages out-of-pocket. He estimates the car break-ins will also cost church members around $1,500. The bishop’s daughter was one of the victims.

Coleman said detectives with the St. Louis Police Department have been very responsive and that they came to view the footage right away.

Until someone recognizes these vandals or they are caught, Coleman has a message for them.

“I forgive them,” he said. “We need to do more out in the community. More mentorship programs to help our young men and ladies out,” he added.

The church has around 20 cameras on the property, with an armed guard on Sundays. But after Wednesday’s break-in, the church plans to have the armed guard on-site throughout the week during church meetings in order to protect vehicles and other property.