Arson probe at Black church in North Providence: 'They meant to burn the church down'

NORTH PROVIDENCE − State, local and federal authorities are investigating fires set Saturday night at a Pentecostal church in North Providence with a mostly Black membership.

Pastor Eric Perry said a person tried forcing his way into the empty Shiloh Gospel Temple late Saturday night and apparently returned later to set several fires around the building's exterior. A window was broken, and the fires left the church filled with the smell of smoke and gasoline, forcing the Shiloh Gospel Temple to hold its Sunday service at another church.

"We're definitely treating it as an arson fire," state Fire Marshal Timothy McLaughlin said.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating with the North Providence Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, McLaughlin confirmed. The fire marshal's office routinely contacts the ATF when investigating fires at houses of worship, and the ATF decides whether to get involved, according to McLaughlin.

North Providence pastor believes he knows the motive

The attack has shaken members of the church, Perry said. He believes the fires were set by a person or people who want the church to move. Video from a neighbor's camera showed a person pouring gasoline around the building, Perry said.

"They meant to burn the church down to get us out of the neighborhood," he said.

When he initially talked to the police, Perry told them he couldn't think of anyone who would want to set fire to the church, but a church member later showed him social media posts suggesting it was a "fake church" that shouldn't be in the neighborhood, and expressing surprise that no one had burned it.

"When I saw it, I said, 'Oh, my God,' I didn't believe this could happen in 2024," Perry said.

The church has been at its location on Charles Street for about five years and has about 100 members.

"I've been a pastor in Rhode Island for almost 37 years, and I've never had this happen," Perry said. "This is a serious thing."

Church camera catches vandalism

Video cameras might have prevented worse damage to the church, and might also help investigators find whoever set the fires.

The church installed a camera outside the building a few weeks ago after their new van was vandalized, Perry said. Returning to Rhode Island from a conference in Florida on Saturday night, he was waiting for a connecting flight in North Carolina when he happened to check the camera on his cellphone and saw somebody trying to break into the front door of the church, he said.

Perry was able to shout at the man via the video and audio equipment. "I said, 'I see you. Get away from the door now. I have your picture,'" Perry said.

Perry could see the man looking around for the camera. He found it and smashed it. Perry called the North Providence police, who he said responded within minutes, although nobody was arrested.

After Perry's flight landed in Rhode Island, he went straight to the church and was surprised to see fire trucks, a state fire marshal's car, police officers and detectives. He learned several fires had been set around the building. He believes the man he saw trying to break in came back and set the fires.

Investigators gathering information from neighbors, businesses

North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero Jr. wouldn't comment on whether the police think that's what happened but said the police are investigating both the fires and the earlier attempted break-in.

Ruggiero said police officers were canvassing the neighborhood Monday, as they had on Sunday, talking to residents and businesspeople and trying to gather any information they could from video cameras.

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"We're hoping for a positive end to this," Ruggiero said.

Mayor Charles Lombardi responded to the fire scene Sunday morning. He returned later that day and talked with Perry. Lombardi said, "We want to ensure everybody is kept safe."

"We need to respect each other's faith," Lombardi said.

Lombardi hopes the police investigation uncovers the motive. He had previously resided in the area and described it as a "nice, quiet neighborhood."

In an interview with The Journal, Perry acknowledged previously having trouble with a neighbor but said that, other than the vandalized vehicle, it had been quiet recently.

On Sunday, the displaced Shiloh Gospel Temple held its service at Mount Zion Church of God in Providence. Perry was meeting with investigators Monday afternoon, and then he planned to return to the church to see if it could be aired out and cleaned up in time to reopen for Bible study on Tuesday.

The incident could have been tragic, Perry said, if someone had set fire to the church during a service. With the singing and music, the people inside might not have noticed until it was too late.

"What if we had been in service at the time?" he asked.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Fires at Shiloh Gospel Temple in North Providence under ATF investigation