Church Fire in Stockton Probed as Possible Hate Crime and Arson

STOCKTON — Investigators are looking into a possible hate crime and arson at a Roman Catholic church in north Stockton.

The Stockton Fire Department responded to a fire at the Church of the Presentation about 7 p.m. Sunday night, just before evening Mass. A swastika and other graffiti were found on the church and religious statues, officials said.

The two-alarm blaze caused about $700,000 damage to an altar and a classroom area, burning pews and laminated beams. The classroom was destroyed and much of the main church sustained water and smoke damage, said Pete Klein of the Stockton Fire Department.

Fire investigator Marty Galindo said the fire started at the altar. It was discovered by a nun.

A Spanish-language Mass had been completed in the church about an hour before the fire was discovered, officials said. Candles used during the service haven’t been excluded as a possible cause, Klein said.