Vandal throws rocks through windows of Philly’s historic Mother Bethel AME church

& Mother Bethel Vandalism — NBCPhiladelphia & by Marco Cerino. Philadelphia Tribune Staff Writer Philadelphia police are investigating vandalism at one of the city’s oldest Black churches. Officers were called to Mother Bethel AME Church Monday morning after a front door window and three other stain glass windows were damaged by rocks. Mother Bethel AME first welcomed worshipers in 1794 and is the oldest congregation in the African Methodist Episcopalian denomination. The current building& on the corner of South Sixth and Addison Streets was erected in 1889 and was registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1972. Police responded to a call Monday morning, noting the damage. Initial reports do not cite any potential links to terrorism or a hate crime. No suspects have been identified at this time. Central Detectives are handling the investigation. & Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D., the pastor of the congregation, said the incident took place overnight, likely in the early morning hours of Monday. Security footage has yet to be completely reviewed. He believes this act did not have any ulterior motives or was meant to sent a specific message. & “I’ve seen everything from one end of the spectrum to another,” Rev. Kelly...