LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Staff members of a west Louisville church barricaded themselves in a locked room Monday night after several people forced their way inside.

"We're very, very frustrated or disheartened by the fact that someone would choose to break into a church," Rev. Gerald Joiner, Zion Baptist Church pastor said.

Louisville Metro Police said officers responded just after 6 p.m. to the report of a break-in at Zion Baptist Church in the Russell neighborhood. Staff members were inside when they called 911 to report people had "gotten inside the building unlawfully," LMPD spokesperson John Bradley said Tuesday.

"He did considerable damage to many of our interior doors in kicking them in, destroying them and then ransacking the respective offices inside," Rev. Joiner said.

With the help of 911, the staff barricaded themselves in a locked room. Police arrived shortly thereafter, got the staff members out and cleared the church. Bradley said the officers believe the suspects ran away as police approached.

"We're praying for the individual that broke into our facility but yet we do pray that he becomes apprehended so that the police and others can give him the necessary help that he needs," Rev. Joiner said.

To help with the cleanup effort click here.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call LMPD's anonymous Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or submit a tip on the anonymous Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.

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