Irreplaceable antiques stolen from city church

Irreplaceable antiques have been pinched from St Peter’s Anglican Church in central Wellington.

Colourful sets of century-old embroidered vestments were stolen from a locked glass display cabinet at the Willis St church last weekend.

Church sacristan Susan Atkins said the vestments, which probably came from a guild in England, were previously used during communion ceremonies.

While some Anglican churches had done away with ceremonial frills from the past, the vestments had been on display to show people the beauty from what at times felt like a bygone era, she said.

‘‘I just don’t have any clue why anyone would want to take these things. There’s some gold thread but... it’s probably only about $2 worth.’’

However, their loss was significant to the church.

The items taken were matched sets of burses, palls, manipules and veils in church ‘‘season’’ colours of red, white, green and purple. They are all heavily embroidered on silk damask.

‘‘We would never leave our silver and things out. We’ve had bits of brass stolen off the big eagle [at the front of the church].

‘‘The poor box [for donations] has been replaced so many times, I think it’s stronger than Fort Knox now. One time someone smashed it clear from the wall.’’