Bermudian Reverend Helps Church Repair Effort
A Bermudian pastor is overseeing recovery efforts after a church in the United States was broken into and heavily damaged in a theft before Easter.
Bethel AME Church on North 5th Street in Harrisburg, was ransacked, with thieves stealing nearly all its copper wiring, piping and HVAC system.
The church, which has been in existence for about 190 years, is led by Reverend Ouemonde Brangman, who has served there for a decade.
The damage is estimated to exceed $150,000, leaving the building without water, heating or air conditioning.
Authorities believe two men entered through a blind spot in the church’s security system and remained in the basement over several days, removing copper infrastructure.
The break-in was discovered when choir members arrived for a scheduled rehearsal and found lights not working, doors and drawers open and trash scattered throughout the building.
“We had a choir rehearsal on Wednesday, something we’d just started, and they noticed all these things thrown around the sanctuary and the lights weren’t working,” Reverend Brangman told Bernews.
“They called me right away and said, ‘Pastor, we don’t have any lights in the sanctuary, and it looks like someone has been in here.’”
Further checks revealed that copper piping and key systems had been stripped.
“On further inspection, we discovered they had been through every closet, and when we went underneath the building, we saw they had taken all the copper piping for the water supplies, the furnace, the water meter – all piping from our air conditioning units. It was ransacked,” he said.
The incident occurred ahead of Easter, one of the most significant dates in the Christian calendar, when churches typically see increased attendance.
“We’ve had one challenge after another, and this is just another one we’ve been confronted with,” Reverend Brangman said, adding that the church had previously been targeted.
“We’re thankful we had the security system we put in last year to catch the guys. Both have been locked up.”
Church leaders are seeking donations through an online fundraising campaign to help cover repair costs and say they are working to reopen as soon as possible as the congregation regroups following the damage.
“We have a long road ahead of us and need assistance,” Reverend Brangman added. “Everyone is remaining positive,” Brangman said, adding that the congregation is continuing to use the building while repairs are under way.
A nurse planning to relocate to Bermuda
Sure. And you are posting it here why? Scammer maybe?
Maybe Leroy Bean should join him. He does nothing here to sort out the gang violence and getting paid well for it. Give Bean some real work. Oh forgot PLP Friends of family syndrome.