Over 400 Hostile Acts Targeted U.S. Churches in 2024, Report Finds - Faith & Freedom News

Washington, D.C., August 2025 — Christian congregations across the United States continued to face a high level of hostility in 2024, according to new findings from the Family Research Council (FRC).

The report, released on August 11, documented 415 separate attacks against 383 churches, ranging from vandalism and arson to shootings and bomb threats. While this marks a slight drop from the record 485 incidents in 2023, the numbers remain far above pre-2021 levels.

“Religious freedom is seldom handed to the passive,” said Tony Perkins, FRC President. “We must actively protect the right to worship from those who seek to intimidate, silence, or destroy our places of faith.” (Source)

A Rapid Escalation Since 2021

The rise has been sharp:

2021 — 98 incidents
2022 — around 198 incidents
2023 — 485 incidents
2024 — 415 incidents

According to the Catholic News Agency, vandalism was by far the most common act, accounting for 284 incidents. Arson and attempted arson made up 55 cases, while gun-related incidents more than doubled year-over-year, reaching 28 in 2024.

The report also noted 14 bomb threats and 47 “other” acts—including assaults and disruptions during services.

Geographic Hotspots

Certain states saw notably higher numbers of attacks:

California: 40
Pennsylvania: 29
Florida & New York: 25 each
Texas: 23
Tennessee & Ohio: 19 each
(Full Data)

Changing Motives

FRC’s data revealed a sharp drop in pro-abortion-motivated incidents—from 59 in 2022 to only 2 in 2024—and a similar decline in attacks involving satanic messages. Anti-LGBTQ+ motivated incidents fell from 42 in 2023 to 33 last year.

Arielle Del Turco, Director of FRC’s Center for Religious Liberty, warned that the continued high numbers still point to a troubling cultural shift:

“The rise in violence and vandalism against churches is not just a statistic—it’s a warning sign,” she said. “Lawmakers, law enforcement, and communities must treat these acts with the seriousness they deserve.” (Source)