In a recent incident that has shaken the community, the Church of the Transfiguration in Manhattan’s Chinatown was attacked by a homeless individual, resulting in damage to stained glass windows and wooden structures. The church’s leaders are calling for unity within the community to help maintain public safety.
Father Kwan Wai-hin, the church’s pastor, expressed concern that, although the NYPD has not classified the incident as a hate crime targeting the Chinese or Asian communities, it has “deeply shaken the sense of security” for the congregation. He noted that post-pandemic, elderly residents have increasingly expressed anxiety about safety in Chinatown. “People are more worried about safety than ever before,” Father Kwan shared. “We need the community to work closely together to address these public safety challenges.”
The church is urging local residents to come together to create a safer living environment. Father Kwan emphasized, “Only by standing united and supporting one another can we ensure everyone’s safety.”
While it is common for homeless individuals to congregate around the church, this attack is the first of its kind. Father Kwan mentioned that the church typically handles such disturbances discreetly, but this violent act highlights the vulnerabilities within the community. The church plans to continue promoting community solidarity and raising awareness among residents.
The incident occurred around noon on September 30, when a man threw a rock, shattering a stained-glass window before fleeing the scene. At the time, a mass was being held inside, and the broken glass narrowly missed striking a parishioner who was in prayer. Surveillance footage shows the suspect passing by the church before returning to take advantage of a brief moment when the street was deserted, indicating a level of premeditation.
In response to the damage, the church has placed a wooden board over the shattered window, but the cost of repairing the stained glass is expected to be between $15,000 and $20,000, with restoration efforts possibly taking as long as a year.
Local Chinese business owners nearby reported they hadn’t heard of the incident but acknowledged the long-standing presence of homeless individuals due to the nearby park. “We’re all focused on our own businesses and don’t interact much with the homeless. I’ve never heard of them intentionally causing destruction before,” one owner remarked. Law enforcement is currently investigating the case and pursuing the suspect, who is reportedly registered at a homeless shelter in the Bronx and is not a familiar face in Chinatown.
