When the Rev. Roland Dry of Inspiration Southern Baptist Church of Rock Hill failed to see the church's U.S, South Carolina and Christian flags flying on Tuesday, he assumed someone had taken them in.
He didn't see them Wednesday or Thursday. It was Associate Pastor Steve Ehrhart who told him someone had cut the flagpole lanyards and stolen the flags. Ehrhart filed a report with the Rock Hill Police Department on Thursday.
"It made me feel, kinda empty," said the 70-year-old Dry.
Dry wonders if the thief has animosity against Christianity or perhaps against patriotism.
Dry is sure, though, that whoever did this is "uncomfortable, living an uneasy life. He has no peace of mind in his heart. He is distressed and confused."
And Dry and his congregation will pray for the thief.
"I hope he finds conviction, that he will repent," Dry said. "This is an outward symptom of an inward problem."
Lt. Brad Redfearn, spokesman for the Rock Hill Police Department, said such thefts are rare. There was one about six to eight months ago, he said.
"When anything is stolen, it's wrong," he said. "But to steal an American flag, that's just not right."
It is the second time in a month the exterior of the church on Comer Road has been altered. A car crashed into the church's metal sign and overturned. Dry said they were more concerned about the person in the car than the sign.
Replacing the sign and the flags will come from the church's bank account. The driver did not have insurance and the cost of the flags and damage to the pole was about $375, according to police reports.
Dry said he has a giving congregation that will take care of the needs. Donations, however, will be accepted. Call the church office at 803-329-5365 to donate.
The back-to-back incidents are a first for the church that Dry founded 10 years ago. The church started with eight members. More than 130 now regularly attend Sunday services which feature traditional hymns, Southern gospel music and patriotic songs. "America the Beautiful" or "The Star-Spangled Banner" are just as likely to be sung on any given Sunday as on July Fourth, Dry said.
But the broad stripes and bright stars will no longer - at least temporarily - hang at the home of the Inspiration Southern Baptist congregation.
