Prosecutors progress case against St Carthage’s Cathedral arsonist Stephen Anthony Luke

The 46-year-old is accused of carrying out a week-long crime spree across NSW in September, which involved allegedly setting fire to a Hillsong property and a Lismore cathedral.

NSW Fire & Rescue crews at the scene of the fire at St Carthage's Cathedral in Lismore. / Credit: Alison Paterson

A man who allegedly tried to burn down Lismore’s St Carthage’s Cathedral and a Hillsong property has once again fronted court.

Stephen Anthony Luke, 46, is accused of carrying out a week-long crime spree across NSW in September, which involved allegedly setting fire to two churches and stealing money and cars.

According to court documents tendered to Lismore Local Court, police allege Mr Luke threatened a 20-year-old woman in a car park with a knife before demanding she give him the car keys on September 14.

He then allegedly fled the area in her Volkswagen Polo, along with her handbag containing personal items.

Police will allege Mr Luke then approached a 23-year-old woman outside a shopping centre at Hornsby, where he threatened her with a large knife.

He allegedly demanded she hand over her cash, but she was able to flee without handing over any of her possessions.

Founder of the Hillsong Church, Pastor Brian Houston (left). It is alleged Stephen Anthony Luke (right) damaged his property.

Then, according to the timeline outlined in court documents, police allege Mr Luke set fire to garden plants and irrigation plumbing pipes at the Hillsong property in Norwest, causing about $2000 worth of damage, and painted a building wall without consent on September 16.

He then allegedly travelled to Lismore, where he set fire to St Carthage‘s Cathedral in Lismore on September 18.

Multiple fire crews were called to the cathedral and managed to extinguish the blaze.

Mr Luke was later arrested on September 19 on Magellan Street, Lismore.

He was charged with damaging more than $15,000 worth of property with fire, using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, two counts of assault with intent to rob armed with an offensive weapon, armed robbery using with offensive weapon, two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and larceny.

Clean-up and assessment of the damage is under way at St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore, after a fire./ Credit: Alison Paterson

The DPP prosecutor told Lismore Local Court on Wednesday all four matters concerning Mr Luke were recently made ready for certification.

“This is the first time they’ve actually been listed for charge certification,” she said.

Mr Luke, who remains in custody at Clarence Correctional Centre, will appear at Lismore Local Court on July 14 for further mention.