Thieves target rural churches

"Scumbag" thieves have struck at two historic South Canterbury churches.

The two rural stone churches, St Mary's at Esk Valley and St David's Memorial Church, near Cave, both lost portions of their antique copper spouting some time during the past week.

The St Mary's theft was discovered on Friday when a parishioner went to the church to start preparing it for a wedding to be held there later this week.

The woman had a feeling something was not right, but it wasn't until she saw a spouting bracket lying on the ground and looked up that she realised what had happened.

It appears the thieves had simply ripped off the spouting and down pipes they could easily get to. About two-thirds of the spouting was missing.

Still in place was 15 metres of spouting on the highest part of the roof.

"We are dismayed, we just hope they get the people who did it," parish council treasurer Barbara Ford said of the reaction of the dozen or so parishioners at yesterday's morning service.

The small church meant a great deal to the local community.

"Even people who now live in town come out for special occasions, it is a special place."

Mrs Ford said church members were more interested in dealing with church matters than insurance claims, as would now be required.

Parish minister, the Reverend Joan Clark, said the theft was a reflection of society, with younger people having no understanding or contact with the church.

"They have no connection with the church and little understanding. To them `Jesus Christ' is just a slang word.

"A church [to them] is fair game because they are lord of their own life."

Ms Clark said the church was not only important to her congregation, but also had a New Zealand Historic Places Trust category one listing – an indication that the building was of significance to the whole country. St Mary's was built 130 years ago after an early landowner, Charles Meyer of Bluecliffs Station, donated land for it to be built on.

Made of Albury stone, it is valued at $560,000.

As part of the St Andrew's Presbyterian and Anglican co-operating parish, the church's services are held there twice a month. Special services such as Easter and Christmas can attract 40 to 60 people.

St Andrew's police officer Tim Hartnell described those responsible for the copper spouting theft as "scumbags".

"Isn't a church a place of respect? But some [offenders] have no respect for anyone, not even themselves."

Even if they were able to sell the scrap metal, the offenders would only get "petty cash" for it, Mr Hartnell said.

Those responsible for the theft of the copper spouting from the Otaio Hall last year received only $200 for it, while the quote for replacing the spouting and down pipes was $25,000.

Mr Hartnell only learnt of the theft on Saturday, but planned to speak to all the local scrap metal dealers today.

The second theft was discovered only yesterday.

St David's minister, the Reverend Les Gosling, said it was the second time the spouting had been stolen from the church, which was built 80 years ago, in November 1930.

"The trouble is that there is no-one close around to keep an eye on them," he said.

In 1934, the architect of St David's Church, Mr W H Hall of Timaru, was awarded a gold medal by the New Zealand Institute of Architects for the building of best design in New Zealand since 1930.

- © Fairfax NZ News