The ancient glass window of the Transfiguration Church in Chinatown was damaged by stones thrown by homeless people_1

The Church of the Transfiguration in Manhattan’s Chinatown was recently the target of an attack by an unidentified individual, resulting in damage to a historic window. The estimated cost for repairs is around $15,000 and could take up to a year to complete. The police, using surveillance footage provided by the church, have identified the suspect but have yet to make an arrest.

The incident occurred on September 30 at approximately noon. A video shared by the church on social media shows the assailant approaching the building from the Mosco Street side while holding a heavy stone-like object. He threw it at one of the church’s side windows and then left the scene. Interior surveillance footage captured the moment the object struck, shattering a decorative window adorned with religious imagery. The force of the impact created a cloud of dust, and the damage extended beyond just the glass—several wooden decorative elements were also broken.

Following the attack, church officials called the police. Father Yih-Hsiang Kuan, the church’s head priest, noted that a Mass was taking place inside at the time. Fortunately, the window that was hit was located above the external staircase, and no parishioners or staff were in the area, averting a potentially tragic outcome. Authorities have identified the suspect, who is registered as residing in a homeless shelter in the Bronx, and is not typically seen in Chinatown, leading some community members to express they have never encountered him before.

Constructed in 1802, the Church of the Transfiguration is one of the oldest buildings in Chinatown. The damaged window features intricate, vintage craftsmanship, and finding a contractor capable of restoring it may be a challenge. Father Kuan explained that due to the broken wooden framework, the entire window will need to be replaced, contributing to the substantial repair costs and year-long timeline.

Kuan also mentioned that while homeless individuals are often present in the vicinity of the church, this incident marks the first time an attack has occurred. With current social issues related to homelessness and mental health being so serious, he voiced concerns about the possibility of similar incidents happening in the future.