Deacon allegedly sets fire to own church in Methuen

METHUEN, Mass. — A deacon at a church in Methuen is being held in jail after he was arrested for allegedly setting fire to his own church last month.

A church member called 911 Sept. 24 after noticing the fire at Christian Church Voice of Salvation, which serves the Haitian community.

MORE: Deacon charged after fire damages place of worship

The flames were quickly contained, but water damage forced church officials to move services to another room in the historic Red Tavern building.

Lys Walker Vincent, 45, of Lawrence was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony and burning of a building.

Vincent has served as deacon of the church for about a year and a half, Pastor William Mondesir told Boston 25 News.

“This is a place you come in every Sunday, you worship god. It’s supposed to be safe,” Mondesir said. “So if someone has the intention to do something like that, that’s evil.”

Investigators said they found accelerant in the building, and other evidence, like surveillance footage, pointed to Vincent.

“We were able to alert on some ignitable liquid that should not have been in the building where they were,” Massachusetts State Police Capt. Paul Zipper said. “And that coupled with other information led us to an individual.”

Mondesir said the charges of breaking into the building and setting fire are only accusations and hopes Vincent is cleared.

"It is sad," Mondesir said. "So I hope what we see and what we heard are not true."

And if he is found to be responsible, he said his congregation is ready to forgive.

"Yes. Of course, yes," Mondesir said. "This is what God says. We need to forgive each other."

Vincent is being held by Methuen police until his arraignment in Lawrence District Court.

Cox Media Group