Man arrested after setting crucifix on fire at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, West Bend

About 10:20 a.m. on Friday, 25 September 2026, West Bend police responded to a report of a man inside Pilgrim Lutheran Church on Meadowbrook Drive trying to set an object on fire. Church organist Ben Grosskreuz saw a 50-year-old man use a lighter on a crucifix near the altar; the crucifix suffered minor burn damage (blackened feet and toes). The fire did not spread and no one was injured. The man left when confronted and was arrested nearby. West Bend police referred charges of arson and recklessly endangering safety; he was booked into the Washington County Jail. Pastor Joseph Fisher said the church had prior break-ins. FOX6 and WISN reported on 25 September 2026.

Coordinates are the Nominatim address pin for 462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, Wisconsin (43.4281682, −88.1972424); Nominatim returned no place_of_worship name hit for Pilgrim Lutheran. occurredOn is 25 September 2026.