SUNDAY morning churchgoers were shocked when they arrived for morning service to see their church vandalised with the sayings ‘Crucify No voters’ and ‘Vote Yes’.

The slogans, in reference to the same-sex marriage vote, were painted along church walls in white at Waverley Baptist church in Wheelers Hill.

Senior Pastor David O’Brien was one of the first to see the damage and said the vandals had painted the slogans overnight.

“We all woke up to see the awful vandalisation of our church. It’s disappointing to see these things and it was a shock to all of us,” he said.

MARRIAGE RALLY: 15,000 GATHER TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY

ANDREW BOLT: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DEBATE DISGUSTING, DANGEROUS

Rev O’Brien said church leadership had made it clear during their services that they supported the No vote but continued to support everyone, no matter which side of the vote they were on.

“We have people at the church who have worked for campaigns on both sides,” he said.

“While there has been heated discussions in the community, we have never received threats before.

“This was completely out of the blue.”

Church leadership are yet to identify those involved in the vandalisation but said their services would not be disrupted as a result.

“We will not yield to hate.

“We will continue to love all, gay or straight, or whatever, and will continue to care for people no matter what and to teach the principles of good and moral behaviour that benefit all,” Rev O’Brien said.

ryan.tennison@news.com.au