DEVASTATED churchgoers are appealing for more information after rocks were thrown through the building’s stained glass windows.
The vandalism attack happened between 12pm on Remembrance Sunday and 9.30am yesterday (Tuesday, November 12) at St Thomas Church.
Church warden, Abigail Tilling, was the first person to see the smashed windows on Tuesday morning.
Mrs Tilling said: “I was the first to see the windows this morning. It was totally devastating. I phoned our vicar in tears.
“I saw the first window and it looked like it had exploded. There was glass everywhere.
“I then walked up and realised the other windows had been smashed too. It was heart breaking.”
Three rocks were found inside the building, which is located in Crown East Lane, near Worcester.
One plain window and three stained glass windows were smashed during the vandalism attack.
Mrs Tilling added: “It’s a job for a specialist so we don’t know yet how much it’ll cost to fix.
“Nothing like this has happened before as far as I’m aware of. Years and years ago there was a break-in. But it is usually a safe area. The neighbours didn't hear anything."
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Mrs Tilling said over the summer months the church was left open during the day.
She said: "Someone has unlocked in the morning and re-locked mid afternoon."
Mrs Tilling added: “If anybody saw anything, please come forward.
"It’s a beautiful church and it’s heart breaking that this has happened.”
Mrs Tilling has been involved with the church for 12 years and has been warden for 10 years.
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with more information to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference number 0181-s-121119.
The present Church of St Thomas was originally built in the 1840’s as a private chapel by the Bramwell family beside Crown East Court.
It was moved and rebuilt on the main road to Bromyard where it still stands and was licensed for public worship on October26, 1876 by the Bishop of Worcester.
St Thomas Church Crown East is part of the parishes of Alfrick-w-Lulsley, Crown East-w-Rushwick, Leigh and Bransford and Suckley.
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