University of Massachusetts Christian Memorial vandalized with offensive slogans like ‘Hail Satan’ and ‘Pagan Rule’
- The Haystack Monument was destroyed late in the night on May 13 and 19
- Built in 1867, it commemorates a prayer meeting held in 1806 that led to the modern American Protestant movement of overseas missionary work
- The university’s president has warned that the graffiti is a crime and the university is working with the Williamstown Police Department to track down those responsible
A Christian monument in the heart of a Massachusetts university has been repeatedly vandalized with offensive slogans, including “Hail Satan” and “Pagan Rule.”
The Haystack Monument, which has stood at the center of the Williams College campus since 1867, was graffitied with bright red spray paint late at night on May 13 and 19.
Carved in white marble, the 10-foot-tall historic pillar commemorates a prayer meeting held in 1806 by five students under the shelter of a haystack during a summer storm.
The event led directly to the modern American Protestant movement in support of missionary work abroad, according to the university’s website.
The Haystack Monument in Williams College, Massachusetts was graffitied with bright red spray paint late at night on May 13 and 19
Maud Mandel, the president of the university, said in a message to staff and students that the graffiti is a crime and police have been contacted.
“Just after midnight Saturday, a Campus security officer, responding to a report, discovered that the Haystack Monument in Mission Park had been defaced with spray-painted graffiti,” she said on May 15.
The graffiti contained an obscenity along with the words and phrases ‘Pagan Rule’, ‘Blood’, ‘Ouch’ and ‘Hail Satan’.
Damage to property is a violation of Williams policy and the law, and takes time and money to address.
‘Campus Safety Services (CSS) will attempt to identify the person or persons responsible.
“They’ll also alert the Williamstown police.”
Built in 1867, the white marble pillar commemorates a prayer meeting held in 1806 that led to the modern American Protestant movement of overseas missionary work
Mandel said staff removed much of the red paint the next day, but it reappeared less than a week later.
This time the marble structure was defaced with the words: ‘Hell is hot,” “Shame on you,” and “Ouch.”
After the second incident, Mandel said the college would increase patrols in the area “immediately” and again notify police.
She warned: “If found, those responsible will be held accountable.
“Since the Monument commemorates the Christian missionary movement, some people may perceive these incidents as attacks on your religion or on you personally.
“You belong here, and I will stand up for your and everyone’s right to a safe community.”
Mandel urged anyone with information about the graffiti to come forward.
Maud Mandel, the president of the university, wrote messages to staff and students saying that the vandalism is being treated seriously and that the police are involved
It is not the first time that the Haystack Monument has been violated.
Earlier, according to the student newspaper The Williams Record, four visitors who said they were members of the clergy smeared mud on the pillar and carved concentric circles around it in the dirt.
The incident happened in broad daylight on a Sunday in September 2018.
Located in rural Williamstown, close to MA’s northwestern border, Williams College is one of the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts schools in the country.
The college is home to approximately 2,300 current students and has produced notable alumni including President James Garfield, investing billionaire Herbert Allen, Jr. and director John Frankenheimer.