Stained-glass windows at historic Dallas church destroyed by vandal

Dallas police are searching for a man caught on camera throwing bricks and rocks through several windows at a historic church.

The pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church says the bricks came from their own sign out front.

About 15 windows were destroyed including several stained-glass windows. The brick hurled through it still sits in the pew. 

Surveillance video captured the vandal hopping the back fence and throwing rocks.

The church is over 100 years old and is listed on the national historic registry. The pastor says it was a meeting place in the black community during the civil rights movement and continues to run the city's first food pantry.

Pastor Deb Loudin McCann says whoever caused the damage is still welcome at the church and she invites the person to talk to her about whatever may have prompted them to do this.

“The tears are because I deeply love the people of the church,” said McCann. “They’ve kept it going through their time, talent and treasures, as we say, but also through blood, sweat, tears and prayers.”

McCann says she’s worried the cost of these repairs will be expensive and take away from other ways that they help the community. It is still unclear how much all the repairs will cost.

Despite the setback, the church plans to open up the food pantry and help anyone who needs it on Wednesday.