Cross stolen from the altar during break-in at McLaren Vale Uniting Church
Thieves have hit a local church where it really hurts, stealing the brass cross from its altar.
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Thieves have stolen a brass cross from the altar of a southern suburbs church, the second local church to be broken into in recent months.
Thieves climbed through a bathroom window of the McLaren Vale Uniting Church, on Main Rd, stealing two old televisions, a laptop and the brass cross from the altar.
Church council chairwoman Teresa Fowles said it was odd the thieves had stolen the small cross.
“The old TVs of course weren’t worth anything, but I’m not sure if maybe they thought the cross was gold and worth something,” Mrs Fowles said.
“Luckily we’re covered by insurance; it’s looking like the cross could cost up to $500 to replace.
“It was a very simple brass cross but they are quite hard to replace.”
The church has been closed amid COVID-19 restrictions, but cleaners discovered the break-in.
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“In days gone by, we didn’t lock our churches,” Mrs Fowles said.
“People had a certain respect for the church but now we lock them because some people feel obliged to break into them I suppose.
“It’s a holy place and, in the past, it’s been a place of sanctuary, but it’s just a shame that some people in the community have lost that connection with the church.”
The latest incident follows a break-in at Seaford Christian Churches, on Grand Boulevard, in March, when stage lighting and sound equipment was stolen.