A man doused the steps of a Staten Island church there with gasoline — with children and parishioners still inside, according to police.

Cops say would-be arsonist Willie Griggs, 32, poured out a can of gas in front of St. Phillips Baptist Church on Park Ave. in Port Richmond just before noon.

When a churchgoer saw him and shouted for help, Griggs ran off without igniting the gas.

He back to the scene about half an hour later and was immediately arrested, authorities said.

Griggs faces charges of attempted arson, reckless endangerment, petit larceny and resisting arrest.

Church leaders described Griggs to police as emotionally disturbed, and urged them not to treat the incident as a hate crime.