Just weeks after a March 18 vandalization incident at the Church of the Gesu, a man claiming to be God caused $50,000 of damage to the church’s doors on April 5. Both incidents happened within six months of the church reopening after a yearlong renovation, which included new flooring, a new baptismal font and upgraded security measures.
In response to the crimes, the Marquette University Police Department is currently working with Gesu to determine potential next steps for added security. Fr. Michael Simone, S.J., the church’s pastor, told parishioners in a letter following the first vandalism that there would be increased MUPD patrols and more attention given to security cameras.
Assistant Chief Jeff Kranz said discussions about how to improve security are still in their early stages. The first step, he said, is learning what Gesu’s security system looks like. From there, MUPD will recommend upgrades to the church’s day-to-day operations.
“We don’t want to step in and start dictating how people operate in their spaces,” he said.
After the first vandalism on March 18, a custodian contacted MUPD, who arrested the suspect after he had damaged several wood and plaster items, as well as a century-old statue of St. Anne. The parish estimated $25,000 in damage from the incident.
On April 5, officers were notified of the disturbance after a suspect had already forcefully entered the church with an ax. They arrived to find him armed and sitting on the steps to the church’s altar and — following a 20-minute discussion — took him into custody.
Simone told the Marquette Wire in March that the church had implemented added security measures in its recent $10.1 million renovation. Those improvements included security cameras and hotlines that connect callers with MUPD. Additionally, officers have been sweeping the building every hour while the church is open.
Ray Ellingen, the parish’s director of operations and administration, said it will be a few weeks before any plans are finalized.
“We’re going to give them suggestions and processes that will keep them safer, but what they choose to implement and how they do it is going to be up to them,” Kranz said.
The Church of the Gesu did not respond to the Wire’s request for comment on this story before publication.
This is a developing story that may be updated with new information.
This story was written by Lance Schulteis. He can be reached at [email protected].
