Another Church theft

Although not in Detroit, it is 1/2 block from the Detroit border. This is my old neighborhood (where we lived until last year), and the St. Ambrose Rectory, on the other side of the Church from the stolen lanterns, is across the street from the Grosse Pointe Park Police Department.

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From the Detroit Free Press

Two lantern-shaped light fixtures outside St. Ambrose Parish in Grosse Pointe Park were stolen Monday, the Archdiocese of Detroit said today.
The bronze and copper fixtures, which St. Ambrose pastoral minister Chuck Dropiewski called “historic and priceless,” hung at the side entrance, facing the main parking lot and had lit the church since it was built in 1926-1927.
“Someone took the trouble to unbolt them from the church building, and because of that, we’re hopeful they can be recovered intact,” he added.
Anyone with information about the theft may call the Grosse Pointe Park Police Department at 313-822-7400 or the parish at

313-822-2814.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081007/NEWS02/81007088?GID=GrxKqZ8lkmmC9EDWmqxj3Rj/9ub7m4lxIXqmQFp6x6A%3D

Another downtown Church hit!

My heart goes out to Fr. Koehler at Most Holy Trinity!

FYI - St. John's has an alarm system and video monitoring which can record the intruders.

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The Rev. Russ Kohler, longtime pastor of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Detroit's Corktown, spent part of Tuesday searching pawn shops and antique stores for cherished artifacts and holy vessels that were stolen from one of Detroit most-recognized and historic churches.
Thieves broke into Most Holy Trinity sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. The parish janitor alerted Kohler, who theorizes the thieves lit candlesticks in the church to illuminate their ransacking -- and then took the candlesticks with them, too.
"There was candlewax everywhere," said Kohler.
From the side altar, the thieves took the tabernacle, a heavy, ornate box that held consecrated communion hosts to bring to homebound parishioners. Catholics believe consecrated hosts are the body of Christ.
Among other items stolen were chalices, brass bells, candleholders, and a ciborium, which holds the communion hosts. Also stolen were a sprinkler for holy water and a ceiling chandelier that dates to 1800s, said Kohler. The chandelier had once held kerosene lanterns a century ago, but now was wired for light.
The thieves left behind two large crosses, but ripped from one of them a metal figures of Jesus, Kohler said.
"This isn't the first time Jesus is with thieves," Kohler said.
The thieves picked open locks and the church safe, and cleaned it out. There was no money in the safe. However, Kohler said in the safe were two chalices - one gold that he received in 1973 at his ordination into priesthood and a silver one by a local artist.
The parish is marking its 175th anniversary. The current builidng dates to 1855. Kohler believes the thieves pushed open a window on the Sixth Street side of the church to gain entry during the night.
The church's single spire can be seen on the western edge of downtown Detroit. The parish has been renowned for its service to the poor, which was brought to the forefront by the late Rev. Clement Kern. The parish operates an elementary school and a health clinic. The church, which now has a largely Hispanic population, draws area dignitaries and elected officials for its annual mass celebrating St. Patrick's Day and Detroit's Irish heritage.
Anyone with information can call Detroit Police Southwest District Investigative Operations at 313-596-5340.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/NEWS01/80909062&s=d&page=3#pluckcomments

A problem for all the downtown churches

From today's Detroit News.

St. John's had all of its copper gutters stolen last year.

St. Albertus' entire roof is copper!

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DETROIT -- Police arrested a man attempting to steal copper from the roof of St. Albertus, the first Roman Catholic Church in the city established by Poles, at about 6 a.m. Friday, according to a spokesman for the group attempting to preserve the historic place of worship.
It was the second time this month that an attempt was made to steal the valuable metal, which thieves often are able to sell to scrap vendors. The first, on Aug.18, resulted in the loss of a 30-by-8 foot section of the steep roof, constructed in 1885.
This time, according to Matt Baka, president of the Polish American Historic Site Association, police thwarted the crook.
"While the thief did not get away with any of the copper, he did cause more damage to the roof that will have to be fixed," Baka said.
The thief apparently broke out a small stained galls window to enter the church, Baka said.
A police spokeswoman said she could not immediately confirm the arrest.
"This all comes days before security system upgrades planned by PAHSA were to be made," he said.
"While it is a somewhat satisfying to know that he is no longer on the streets, the damage is done, once again, and that is something jail time won't fix," he said.
The preservation group purchased the church for a nominal fee in 1991, one year after the Archdiocese of Detroit closed the parish. Some masses and weddings still occur in the church and the annual fundraiser is scheduled from 2 p.m. until midnight, Saturday, September 13.
In 1978, St. Albertus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Pope John Paul II -- then known as Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, the archbishop of Krakow, Poland -- celebrated Mass in the cavernous, ornate church in 1976.

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St. Albetus, Sweetest Heart of Mary, and St. Josaphat are all on Canfield Street, near St. John's. Video of the inside of St. Josaphats can be found here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H66AQ6ZHd2o