SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Racist graffiti was spray painted on the side of the historic St. James AME Church, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they received a call on Sunday at 9 a.m. about the graffiti on the building located at 2170 James Drive in unincorporated Oviedo.
According to the sheriff’s office, they launched a felony criminal mischief investigation at the church, which now is the Historic Oviedo Colored Schools Museum, and are actively working leads.
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Officials from the museum posted on social media saying, “Whoever did this committed a ‘hate crime’ by placing the symbols and speech on a church.”
“It didn’t really shock me other than, ‘OK, alright, we’ve got to get over this so we can move forward,’” said Judith Smith, president of the Historic Oviedo Colored Schools Museum, Inc.
Since 2018 Smith has spearheaded plans to renovate the museum and recognize its roots as a St. James AME Church and school for black students.
“It’s important because of what the community did with little or no encouragement,” Smith said. “So, that’s what I want people to know, that you don’t have t, be ashamed to start from meager beginnings. If you put the work in, you can accomplish anything.”
Deputies said they proactively painted over the graffiti for the church and community.
“It is disheartening to see racist graffiti on this historic structure. Especially, since Monday marks the holiday in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
If anyone has information about this incident, you are asked to call the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 407-0665-6650 or Crimeline at (800)423-TIPS.
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