Sitting in the heart of the Ward-Meade neighborhood, Sumner Elementary was one of the eight all-white schools in the Brown v. Board of Education case.

"It means a lot to people all over this county and all over the world,” said Councilwoman Karen Hiller. “It’s the story of a city that stepped up and said ‘separate but equal’ isn't good enough, everyone needs to have the same opportunities."

The school closed in 1996 and in 2009 the City sold it at an auction to the W.R. Portee Evangelistic World Church in California. The purchase came with a promise that the building would be restored to its former glory, but that hasn't been the case.

"It’s heartbreaking, it is devastating, one would think that a church and especially with its promises would see it through,” said Hiller

Topeka Police say Sumner School, a National Historic Landmark, was recently broken into.

Officers say they got the call Tuesday night by a neighbor who could hear power tools running at the school.

When police arrived they found the padlock to the school cut and noted damage to the door jamb as well.

This isn't the first time the school has been broken into. In 2015, an intentional fire was set on the second floor of the school and in 2012, it's National Historic Landmark plaque was stolen.

If you're interested in saving Sumner you can go to their website at bvbsumnerlegacy.org