Someone taking responsibility for the damage sent an email to local media, claiming the vandalism at Mars Hill Church on Southeast Taylor was the work of a gay rights group.

The vandals broke century-old stained-glass windows.

"We heard these loud, startlingly loud, noises," said neighbor Annie Winn, who watched from across the street. "We jumped out of bed and looked out the windows here, and these black figures were running past the church and throwing rocks at the windows as they went." ...