Rural Ohio Old Catholic Church Offers $5,000 Reward for Information on Pride Flag Arson

The Holy Redeemer Independent Old Catholic Church in Crestline, Ohio, recently became the target of a hate crime involving the arson of a Pride flag. On New Year’s Day, a passerby reported an object on fire behind the church, prompting police to arrive around 6:30 p.m. and discover a charred Pride flag and an Ole Smoky Tennessee Whiskey bottle in an alley. The police report indicates the whiskey bottle was used as an incendiary device, or Molotov, to set the flag ablaze.

Officers noted the flag had been flying on the church’s flagpole, with the rope to the pole cut. Footprints in the snow suggested the perpetrator approached from the north, moved south, and then returned north. Despite inquiries with nearby business owners and residents, no suspects were identified, and surveillance cameras failed to capture any footage. Crestline Police confirmed they have closed the case, citing a lack of further evidence to collect.

Rev. Anthony Capretta, the church’s pastor, issued a press release offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the culprits. Capretta described the incident as a hate crime targeting the LGBTQ+ community, drawing a parallel to historical acts of violence by the Ku Klux Klan. He emphasized the church’s commitment to standing against such acts of intolerance.

Ohio law does not currently provide legal protection for hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, perpetrators may still face charges such as vandalism, theft, arson, or property damage. In some cases, these incidents could meet the threshold for ethnic intimidation. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Crestline Police Department or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Rev. Ben Huelskamp, executive director of the LGBTQ+ affirming Christian advocacy group LOVEBoldy, condemned the arson while acknowledging the importance of places of worship that display Pride flags. He stated that such acts of visibility signal to communities that faith institutions can be safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. His comments reflect a broader conversation about the role of religious institutions in supporting marginalized groups.

New data reveals Ohio ranks among the states with the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in 2025. According to GLAAD’s ALERT Desk, Ohio recorded 50 such incidents, placing it fourth nationally behind California, New Hampshire, and Texas. The incidents included three arson attempts, two threats of mass shootings against LGBTQ+ individuals, and multiple propaganda drops by white supremacist groups like Patriot Front. These figures highlight the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities in the state.

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