Notable Attacks on Houses of Worship in Recent Years

A grim list of some of the most devastating incidents targeting religious buildings around the world

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:51am

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While attending weekly worship services is generally a safe activity, a spate of recent attacks on houses of worship around the world has intensified fear among clergy and worshippers. This article provides a list of some of the most notable attacks on religious buildings that have occurred in the past 15 years, including incidents in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Why it matters

These attacks on sacred spaces have shaken communities of faith, raising concerns about the safety and security of religious institutions. They also highlight the ongoing threat of extremism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of religious intolerance that continue to manifest in violence against houses of worship.

The details

The list includes a range of incidents, from a man ramming his vehicle into a synagogue in Detroit, to a shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in Michigan, to a massacre at a Hanukkah festival in Australia. The attacks have targeted various faiths, including Jewish, Christian, Sikh, and Muslim congregations. Many of the incidents have been carried out by individuals with histories of extremism, racism, or religious intolerance.

  • On March 12, 2026, a man armed with a rifle rammed his vehicle into a major reform synagogue in a Detroit suburb.
  • On September 29, 2025, an ex-Marine smashed a pickup truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in Michigan, opened fire, and set the building ablaze.
  • On August 27, 2025, two children were killed and several others were injured in a shooting during Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis.
  • On October 27, 2018, eleven Jews attending services at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh were fatally shot by a white supremacist.
  • On November 5, 2017, twenty-five people, including a pregnant woman, were killed at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

The players

Robert Bowers

A white supremacist with a history of antisemitism who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2018 attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Clementa Pinckney

The senior pastor of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, who was among the nine people killed in the 2015 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These attacks on houses of worship highlight the ongoing threat of extremism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of religious intolerance that continue to manifest in violence against sacred spaces. They underscore the need for increased security, education, and community-based efforts to promote understanding and prevent such tragedies in the future.