The pastor of a Butler church is accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls and a female congregation member, according to state police.

The pastor of By His Grace Christian Ministries, Herman C. Rushing Jr., 67, had inappropriate sexual contact with two girls under the age of 16 on numerous occasions, according to police. He also is accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual acts with an adult female member of the congregation.

Rushing was charged Wednesday, Dec. 6, with felonies and misdemeanors of indecent assault, corruption of minors and child endangerment after an extensive investigation.

Rushing was arrested Wednesday at his home and placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail, charging documents showed.

Police said the first assault was reported by the parents of a 13-year-old girl after she disclosed Rushing touched her inappropriately over the course of three years, starting when she was 10.

According to police, the girl said the alleged assaults began in December 2020. Two specific instances occurred at gatherings with multiple people: One was in Portersville and one at Rushing’s residence in Butler Township, documents showed.

The girl went through a forensic interview at the Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center on Nov. 3. She disclosed the assaults would take place monthly and cited specific locations in Rushing’s home where they took place. Police said one instance occurred in a vehicle at the girl’s former home.

Police said the girl disclosed Rushing would touch her inappropriately in various places on her body and “fix her clothes” when he was finished. Documents showed that during the assaults, Rushing would ask, “do you like that?”

During the investigation, an underage witness disclosed she overheard Rushing asking the girl that question at a function, police said.

A 16-year-old girl also disclosed Rushing had touched her inappropriately over the past year, police said, citing two instances that took place in his home.

Separate charges will be filed in regard to the assault of the congregation member, according to Trooper Bertha Cazy, public information officer for Troop D.

The investigation into Rushing is ongoing. Cazy encouraged any other victims to call the barracks at 724-284-8100.

Rushing’s preliminary hearing is scheduled Dec. 14 before District Judge Kevin O’Donnell.