Lewd images and offensive phrases were daubed on the walls of St James Church in Leyland, near Preston, as well as on dozens of gravestones.
Lancashire Constabulary said the “disgraceful act of vandalism” was “being treated as a hate crime”.
Pixelated image of the offensive phrases daubed in red paint near the door of the church (Paul Wharton-Hardman/PA)
Rev Marc Wolverson said a Good Friday service went ahead at the church, with a wedding due to take place on Saturday.
The vicar said he was “disgusted” by the damage but added that the church was planning to cover some of the graffiti with conifer plants to allow wedding photos to be taken.
Speaking on Saturday morning, Mr Wolverson told the PA news agency: “We said, ‘No, this is Good Friday. We’re not going to let these vandals stop our worship’. So we had a service yesterday, we have a wedding today.
“Obviously, the couple were advised about what had happened and we’re trying to make provisions to mask some of the graffiti, so that they can go ahead with their wedding pictures and things like that.
“And we’re doing our best to soldier on and continue and celebrate what is the most important holy week of the Christian year.”
Mr Wolverson said he was alerted on Friday morning to vandalism and graffiti at the church, which was bui...
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