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Vandals broke into the Tenth Avenue United Methodist Church sometime late Monday, early Tuesday.
They plugged up one of the toilets with paper towels, causing it to flood most of the church.
Earl Waters, a church volunteer discovered the damage. He said he first thought the flooding was caused by a broken water line. But he quickly discovered this it was no accident.
He found a broken window in the basement, and the shade had a blood stain on it. Apparently one of the vandals got cut on the broken glass. As they moved throughout the church, they broke more windows, ransacked a classroom and flooded the building by stuffing paper towels in one of the toilets.
"They stuffed paper towels over here to hold the float down so it just kept the water running," Waters explained.
He said about an inch and a half of water was running through the hallways and through the building.
"You could take a step and you'd have water coming up around your shoes."
The water though missed the sanctuary.
"We're fortunate that as we get ready for Palm Sunday this Sunday and Easter Sunday in another week," said Pastor Richard Brooks. "We don't have to worry about our worship center and so yes we're thankful they didn't come into the sanctuary."
It's estimated the vandals caused about $15,000 worth of damage. Even though the church's insurance company said it will help pay, officials are concerned about paying the deductible. The Pastor said he's they're not looking for donations, but will raise the money.
So far, the church hasn't reported anything missing.
The church says the vandals also broke into some cars parked in the front of the church. They removed some items from those cars, but left it behind.