Managing a church building is a unique responsibility and requires church security systems that can handle it. Churches are more than just places of worship, they’re community hubs, schools, event spaces, food pantries and service organizations. On top of that, they’re also office spaces for church staff.
As we’ve seen from the recent tragedy in Minneapolis, churches are not immune to threats. Based on the Deadly Force study by Faith Based Security Network, between 1999 and 2020, nearly 53% of all deadly force incidents at faith-based organizations were due to a robbery, domestic violence, or a personal conflict. A deadly force incident includes abductions/attempted abductions, attacks, suspicious deaths, suicides, and deadly force intervention/protection.
Over 75% of deadly force incidents occurred (or began) outside on ministry property, parking lot or activity location, and 61% of those attacks occurred when no event was happening.
Property Crimes Dominate
The organization Faith Based Information Sharing and Analysis group (FB-ISAO) recently released a detailed advisory summarizing all reported attacks on houses of worship in 2024.
In total, 841 attacks were recorded against faith-based organizations in 2024. Protestant churches made up 49% of all incidents, Jewish synagogues followed with 21%, Catholic churches with 16%, and mosques with 7%. While Protestant churches experienced the most attacks by volume in 2024, Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim institutions experienced attacks at much higher rates than their share of total houses of worship in the US.
The vast majority of the incidents (80%) were property crimes:
· Vandalism made up 28%
· Theft accounted for 18%
· Arson represented 9%
· The remaining 20% were crimes against people, including assaults, bomb threats, and verbal threats
Vandalism and theft make up a large part of the crimes against houses of worship, and while not all crimes can be prevented, having the right church security systems in place can help mitigate your risk and provide evidence should something happen.
Church Security Systems Every Church Needs
1. Video Surveillance
Cameras deter theft, monitor entrances, and provide evidence if an incident occurs. Modern surveillance systems allow facilities managers to check live feeds remotely, ideal for keeping an eye on multiple buildings or outdoor spaces.
How we can help: We install high-definition cameras with motion detection and mobile access, making it easy for church staff to monitor activity in real time. We’ll help you select security cameras that provide image quality, analytics, viewing range, and IR (infrared) distance, for your building both inside and out. Then we’ll configure a security system that can be expanded in the future as your camera needs grow without costly infrastructure changes.
2. Access Control Systems
Churches are typically a hub for a wide range of activities at various times throughout the day and night. With multiple staff, volunteers, outside organizations all requiring access, key management can quickly become a nightmare.
An access control system gives facilities managers the ability to lock and unlock doors, set door schedules, and manage user codes remotely. Along with blocking access to specific areas, or blocking specific people/groups from accessing certain areas within the church.
This system also lets building managers revoke access as needed. Physical keys can get lost, people will forget to return them, they can be duplicated, and don’t offer the same kind of flexibility and customization that a house of worship requires.
How we can help: We provide access control systems with keycards, fobs, or mobile entry. These systems let you control who can access specific areas (like offices, childcare rooms, or storage) and track entry logs.
3. Intrusion Alarms
From break-ins to vandalism, churches can be vulnerable during off-hours. The damage isn’t always about stolen property, break-ins can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs, damage to stained glass, or loss of irreplaceable items.
A good intrusion alarm system does more than sound a siren. It should:
· Detect forced entry at doors, windows, and restricted areas.
· Alert staff and authorities instantly when triggered.
· Integrate with video surveillance so you can verify whether a threat is real.
Insurance companies recognize the value in a good alarm system and many will offer reduced rates when an alarm system is installed.
Today’s innovative church security systems and technologies include user-friendly apps, specialized keypads, and advanced administrative controls. With a mobile app, you can arm or disarm your system, quickly remove users, and view user history from anywhere, eliminating the need to rush back to the building in the middle of the night.
How we can help: We can design and install an alarm system, while ensuring everything is hooked up correctly, potential false-alarm triggers are avoided, and that it always connects to the right people for immediate response.
4. Fire Alarms
Churches serve hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people at a time. Fires, carbon monoxide leaks, or other emergencies require fast detection and reliable alerts. Many churches also operate schools, kitchens, or daycare programs, increasing the need for comprehensive life safety systems.
According to the Life Safety Code NFPA 101, churches and places of worship are not places of business, but places of assembly, which is defined as a space used for the gathering of 50 or more people “for deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar uses; or used as a special amusement building, regardless of occupant load.”
A church checks a lot of those boxes. Facilities managers need to be confident that their fire alarm systems are code compliant, comprehensive, and well maintained and regularly tested
How we can help: We design and maintain fire and life safety systems that meet strict safety standards. Our services include
· System design and installation
· Fire alarm inspection and testing
· Fire, smoke, heat, and environmental detection & monitoring
· The UL certificate, documentation, and annual fire test & inspection for a UL fire system
Let us help ensure your system is always ready when seconds count.
Pulling it All Together
While each of these systems is important, the real value comes when they work together. Integrated church security systems allows facilities managers to:
· View cameras and control building access from a single platform.
· Receive instant notifications about suspicious activity.
· Ensure fire, intrusion, and communication systems coordinate seamlessly
Partnering with Wellington Security Systems
Every church is different, some operate across multiple campuses, while others focus on one historic building. That’s why Wellington Security Systems offers customized church security systems and solutions, designed with your congregation and facility in mind. We handle installation, monitoring, and ongoing support, so you can focus on your mission while we handle the security.
Wellington Security Systems has been designing security systems for Twin Cities businesses for over 40 years. Let our team of experienced and highly trained technicians add peace of mind to your day with a smart security solution. Contact us today to schedule your free security assessment.