Prayer, unity vigil held outside vandalized Charlotte church

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Faith leaders from across North Carolina met on Monday for a prayer and unity vigil outside a south Charlotte church that was vandalized last week.

Someone painted vulgar hate speech on the doors of Wedgewood Church, which is known for being LGBTQ-friendly.

"LGBT people are the focus now, not the vandalism on our church, but the vandalism of the hearts, bodies, and souls of LGBT people," Rev. Dr. Chris Ayers said.

Church officials said this incident marks the seventh time the church was attacked for supporting LGBT community members.

The doors were also vandalized in 2015 and they were repainted in rainbow colors.

Neighbors are raising money for a security system. A group called "Deplorable Pride" is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

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