No suspects in chapel vandalism

BLUFF POINT--The Yates County Sheriff's Department has yet to identify any suspects in an ongoing investigation into the vandalism at the Garrett Memorial Chapel. The chapel, located at 5251 Skyline Dr. in Bluff Point, suffered a smashed stained glass window, with the damages totaling $25,000. Sheriff Ron Spike said the case is being investigated as a felony criminal mischief case.
Spike said the case was reported Wednesday, March 9, by caretaker David Earley. The sheriff estimated the crime occurred between 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 and 12:30 p.m. March 9. Spike noted the investigation indicates two large volleyball sized rocks were thrown through the window, adding the rocks were from the grounds surrounding the chapel.
According to the chapel website, the damage was limited to the single stained-glass window. The perpetrators encountered locked doors and did not attempt further access. The window was an original historic 1929 work by Frederick Wilson. Experts from Judson Studios and Pike Stained Glass are collaborating on how to best preserve the remaining window and to determine an approach to restoration, if possible.
According to the chapel website, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the last significant remnant of Garrett and Company. The Garrett Chapel, also known as the "Little Chapel on the Mount," was built by Evelyn and Paul Garrett, who founded and ran Garrett and Company from 1902 until 1940. The chapel was erected in memory of Evelyn and Paul's son Charles, who died of tuberculosis in 1929. The building itself is also noted for its use of a number of novel building materials and techniques, and for the extensive collection of unique stained glass windows, including the last windows ever made by Wilson.
Spike said anyone with information that could lead to an arrest should call the Yates County Sheriff's Department tip line at 315-536-5558.