McClain remains hospitalized after beating

McClain remains hospitalized after beating

January 20, 2004

ST. LOUIS – C.K. McClain, Sr., was unconscious and in critical condition in the intensive care unit of St. Louis University Hospital Jan. 16 from injuries suffered when he was beaten and robbed following Sunday morning services Jan. 11 at Broadway Baptist Church here, according to his son, Curtis McClain, Jr.

St. Louis police suspect that a transient beat the 78-year-old Baptist minister in the downstairs kitchen of the church sometime around midday Jan. 11, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. He was found semi-conscious about 6 p.m. in the basement, the newspaper reported. Police believe he was struck in the head with a coffee jar.

Police Lt. Michael Anderson said McClain, of St. Charles , had spoken to the transient shortly after Sunday morning’s services and had gone downstairs with the man to prepare a peanut butter sandwich for him, the Post-Dispatch reported. Anderson said the transient did odd jobs for the church and would come by for occasional meals.

Anderson said McClain’s wallet was missing and police said they assume robbery was the motive, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Anderson said McClain’s wife had taken a nap after the service and didn’t realize her husband was hurt until late afternoon, the Post-Dispatch reported. He said she called relatives in St. Charles after finding him and they in turn called police. Police arrived at the church at about 6 p.m.

Three hours earlier, police had found McClain’s car parked and locked in the middle of Broadway in front of the church, the Post-Dispatch reported. The car’s emergency brake was on and police found a skid mark down the church driveway, leading officers to think the suspect was unable to release the brake.

The injured McClain is a long-time member of First Baptist Church , St. Peter’s. His son is a dean and Bible professor at Missouri Baptist College and a contributing columnist to The Pathway.