Altar cross stolen

AUCKLAND: A vintage cross has been stolen from the St MatthewintheCity Anglican church in central Auckland.

In a social media post, the Rev Helen Jacobi posted images of the large high altar cross and CCTV images showing a person walking straight to the high altar last Friday afternoon and taking the cross as it was not bolted down.

She said it dated back to at least 1905 and was heavy, ornate and ‘‘still beautiful’’.

She told RNZ the cross had significant sentimental value and was the centrepiece of the church.

‘‘It’s very unique . . . I don’t know what someone would do with it, you know? Put it in their lounge? It’s not worth anything to anyone else and I don’t imagine they’d be able to sell it because it’s absolutely unique. So we’d just love it back.’’

The theft had been reported to police. — RNZ