Church Desecrated, Bible Burned, and Now the ACLJ Is Taking Action

A church in West Virginia was broken into during the early morning hours of June 12. A Bible was burned. Significant damage was done throughout the building. And an entire congregation was left grappling with the aftermath of an attack on its house of worship.

Now the ACLJ is stepping in to provide the support this church desperately needs to navigate this crime.

Local authorities are investigating and prosecuting this crime and are taking it seriously, pursuing significant charges.

But justice does not end when charges are filed.

Too often, churches and religious organizations that are victimized by criminal conduct find themselves largely spectators in the process. Prosecutors represent the government. Defense attorneys represent the accused. But the victims of the crime – the people who must live with the consequences – can feel as though they have no voice at all.

That is where the ACLJ comes in.

The ACLJ is now representing Pastor Wooten and Open Door Church in connection with the criminal proceedings arising from this attack. Our goal is simple: to ensure that the church’s interests are protected, that its concerns are heard, and that the process moves forward in a manner that reflects the seriousness of what occurred.

Our legal team will assist the church throughout the criminal case, including helping prepare witnesses, communicating with prosecutors as appropriate, advising church leadership regarding developments in the case, and helping ensure that the matter receives the attention it deserves.

This is about more than damaged property.

When a church is invaded, religious materials are destroyed, and a congregation is left wondering whether its place of worship is safe. The effects reverberate far beyond the physical damage. A church is not merely a building. It is a place where families gather to worship God, where communities find support, and where people exercise one of our nation’s most fundamental freedoms – the free exercise of religion.

The ACLJ has spent decades defending that freedom. We have represented churches, pastors, religious schools, ministries, and believers across the country when their rights have come under attack. While every case is different, the underlying principle remains the same: People of faith deserve equal protection under the law.

We are grateful that authorities appear to be taking this matter seriously. But we are not content merely to watch from the sidelines. The ACLJ will continue standing alongside Pastor Wooten and his congregation as this case progresses and will work to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

No church should have to face an attack like this alone.

And this church won’t.