Goddard Chapel struck by vandals

MARION — Historic Goddard Chapel was the target of vandals late Sunday night or early Monday morning city cemetery sexton Bob Connell said Wednesday.

Satanic drawings and offensive language were spraypainted in yellow on the structure and four monuments inside Rose Hill Cemetery were also defaced.

Connell said authorities believe teens were huffing the paint before using it to do damage the property. An empty can and cap were found, as well as a trash bag.

“I’ve been working here for 33 years and there has always been sporadic vandalism at the cemetery,” Connell said. “But the problem seems to be worsening. There’s not much we can do, though. There are 120 acres of property to manage here. We can’t be out here 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”