A stone was thrown at the Transfiguration Church in Manhattan’s Chinatown. The ancient glass window structure was damaged and it took a year to repair.

Recently, the Church of the Transfiguration, located in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown, fell victim to an attack by an unidentified individual, resulting in damage to a historic window. The repair costs are estimated to reach $15,000 and will take about a year to complete. The police have identified the suspect based on surveillance footage provided by the church, although an arrest has not yet been made.

The incident occurred around noon on September 30th. A video posted on the church’s social media shows the suspect approaching the church’s exterior on Mosco Street, holding a heavy stone-like object, which he threw at the side window before fleeing the scene.

Inside the church, surveillance footage captures the moment the object smashed through a window decorated with religious icons. The impact created a strong gust that stirred up dust, breaching not only the glass but also fracturing several wooden decorative structures. Observers noted that the suspect appeared to look around before the act, suggesting that it was a deliberate action and that he was mindful of his surroundings.

It has been reported that the suspect is registered at a homeless shelter in the Bronx and does not frequently visit Chinatown. The police are currently in pursuit of this individual.

Following the incident, Father Kwan, the church’s pastor, reported that a mass was ongoing at the time, and fortunately, the damaged window was located above the stairwell outside the main hall. Had it been a little lower, the consequences could have been dire, particularly if congregants or staff had been present. As of now, the police have confirmed the suspect’s identity and are actively seeking him.

The Church of the Transfiguration, established in 1802, is one of the oldest buildings in Chinatown. The damaged decorative window features intricate designs and historic craftsmanship, making it challenging to find builders capable of its restoration. Father Kwan explained that due to the broken wooden framework, a complete window replacement is necessary, with the estimated repair costs reaching $15,000 and the work expected to take about a year.

Father Kwan noted that while the area around the church often has homeless individuals, this is the first time they have experienced such an attack. Given the severity of current social issues related to homelessness and mental health, he expressed uncertainty about facing similar incidents in the future.