The Church of the Transfiguration, located in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown, recently fell victim to an attack that resulted in damage to a historic stained glass window. According to estimates, the repair costs will reach approximately $15,000 and the restoration could take up to a year. Authorities have identified the suspect through surveillance footage provided by the church, but as of now, they have not yet apprehended him.

The incident occurred around noon on September 30. A video shared on social media by the Church of the Transfiguration shows the suspect approaching the church on Mosco Street with a heavy stone-like object in hand. He threw the object at the church’s side window before fleeing the scene. Internal surveillance footage captured the moment when the object shattered the decorative window embellished with religious imagery, creating a powerful gust of air that sent dust and debris flying. The impact not only broke the glass but also damaged several wooden decorative elements surrounding the window, indicating that the suspect acted deliberately and with clear intent, as he looked around to confirm there were no pedestrians nearby before committing the act.

After the attack, church officials called the police. Father Kwan Yi-Hsien, the head priest, mentioned that a mass was taking place inside the church at the time of the incident. Fortunately, the damaged window was located above the stairwell outside the main hall, and no parishioners or staff were present at that moment; otherwise, the consequences could have been catastrophic. The police have traced the suspect’s registered address to a homeless shelter in the Bronx. Interestingly, several community residents noted that they had never seen this individual in Chinatown before.

Founded in 1802, the Church of the Transfiguration is one of the oldest buildings in Chinatown. The intricate stained glass window that was vandalized is not only artistically significant but also presents a unique challenge for restoration, given that few contractors today possess the skills necessary for such work. Father Kwan explained that due to the damage to the wooden frame, a full window replacement is necessary, which will incur costs around $15,000 and take about a year to complete.

Father Kwan also expressed concern about the safety of the area, stating that while homeless individuals often frequent the vicinity, this is the first time they have encountered such an attack. Given the ongoing issues related to homelessness and mental health in society, he is uncertain if similar events might happen again in the future.