A Milwaukee man was charged with vandalizing the Church of the Gesu, causing an estimated $25,000 worth of damage inside the newly renovated church.
Demetres Xaviar Martece Henderson, 29, was charged with felony criminal damage to property on March 20 in Milwaukee County. If convicted, he could face up to 3.5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, per Class I felonies in Wisconsin. His cash bond is set at $1,000.
According to the criminal complaint acquired by the Marquette Wire, Marquette police arrived at the scene just before 8 a.m. March 18, responding to a report that a man, now identified as Henderson, was vandalizing the church.
A witness praying in the upper sanctuary heard a noise in the lower level of the church and went to find out what happened, they told police. That’s when the witness saw Henderson breaking various items in the sanctuary.
Henderson continued to vandalize the church as the witness followed him, praying out loud.
Nine statues were thrown and broken in the lower church, along with four vigil candle holders, a statue, 2 wooden chairs and 4 kneelers damaged in the upper church.
Ray Ellingen, the parish’s director of operations and administration, estimated the damage done to statues, candleholders, chairs and kneelers was $25,000.
Fr. Michael R. Simone, Gesu’s pastor, said the church has plans to restore the damaged items.
The church is looking to reconstruct the damaged statue of St. Anne, which is over a century old. Other items, made of mostly plaster and wood, will be retired and buried, per Catholic tradition. If Gesu receives an insurance payout, Simone said, other repairs can be paid for.
The parish underwent a $10.1 million renovation and reopened its remodeled space in November 2025.
In addition to new flooring, pews, lighting and acoustics, the upgrades included security cameras and a security desk near the entrance, allowing the church to keep doors open to the public during the day.
Simone told the Wire both the Marquette and Milwaukee communities should pray for Henderson, and that he hopes Henderson can one day join the parish.
This story was written by Elena Metinidis. She can be reached at [email protected].
