Vietnamese Church in Annandale Vandalized

Vietnamese Church in Annandale Vandalized

Religion

Soon after the first Vietnamese-run Catholic church was dedicated, the parish was plagued by harassment from local youths. The group targeted parishioners, priests, and the property itself. Theft and vandalism was a daily occurrence. Though racism was not believed to have been the cause, it was believed that use of the church was the motive.

Marianne Bernhard

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Washington Post Digital

Nov 3, 1979

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Copyright The Washington Post Company Nov 3, 1979

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Historical Newspapers

Vietnamese Catholic church vandalism youth immigrants community

1979

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" The Rev. Tran Duy Nhat, pastor of the Church of the Blessed Vietnamese Martyrs in Annandale, said that the harassment began in early September at the church's formal dedication ceremonies. "

"Al During the service [ a group of young adults] drove around the parking lot yelling things in mock Chinese."

"Nhat said he was awakened at the neighboring church rectory one night when he heard a crash and saw a red pickup truck speeding away after smashing the side of his car."

"Dr. Bui H. Thu, chairman of the parish council said the teenagers stole the battery from a parishioner's car during during a service, painted obscenities on church steps, and pelted Nhat's car with eggs."


"Nhat rose Monday morning morning to discover a 30-foot section of the fence missing and the post holes filled in with gravel."