Third break-in in 18 months reported at Sedgewickville church

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- Members of Sargent's Chapel Lutheran Church are looking for information about Wednesday's vandalism of a sound system and safe that contains church deeds and meeting and cemetery records that date back to the 1870s.

This marks the third time in 18 months a person or people have broken into the rural church building off County Road 234.

"This has happened before, but it's still a surprise," said the Rev. Jerry Bailey, pastor of the congregation that will celebrate its 140th anniversary Oct. 11 with a homecoming service. "You want to look for the better side in people and hope for the very best.

"Like anybody else, our faith and beliefs are a bit challenged and tested from time to time," he said of the church, which averages 35 in worship on Sunday mornings. "When things like this happen, not just one family but the entire congregation is impacted."

Church member Linda Sebaugh said the husband of a Girl Scout troop leader discovered Sargent Chapel's glass doors were shattered and the items stolen when he arrived for their weekly meeting Thursday. The sound system is valued at $900, and the two-and-a-half-foot-tall safe is worth an estimated $200.

Sebaugh said vandals broke into the glass doors to steal speakers in December and thieves broke a window to steal the sound system in November 2007. There are no suspects at this time.

"It's really difficult not to feel angry," Sebaugh said. "It's like when your home is broken into and you then have a sense of violation. That's what we're feeling."

Bollinger County Sheriff Leo McElrath said such incidents in the area are isolated.

"It's getting sad that they're having to lock the place up," McElrath said. "It's getting to a point where people can't be trusted anymore. and that's unfortunate."

McElrath advised churches to install security cameras and motion activators. He added that members of the congregation should frequently check on the property.

"Other than that there's not much more you can do," McElrath said. "If a thief wants to break in, they'll find a way."

Bailey expects the congregation to meet in the near future to discuss any security measures they may take.

"I'd like to say to those who took the items that our church is open to any and everyone," Bailey said. "And we would welcome those who took the items to worship with us. And who knows, God may touch them like he has touched so many other lives."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

County Road 234, Sedgewickville, MO