The burglary of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Kalk Bay has left the congregation and the community sad and in disbelief.
Reverend Richard Martin, rector of the church, said it was traumatising when he learned on Friday 13 May that the historic building was broken into and three television monitors, that were installed just before Easter, had been stolen.
“They broke in through the vestry window, which is a window at the back of the church. We are suspecting it must have happened through the night on Thursday, somewhere between 12 and 13 May.
“The broken glass, which is specially cut for those windows, you know the church is 147 years old, so I don’t know how long that glass has been in there but it is quite old and we probably won’t find the same glass and that is disappointing.”
The reverend told People’s Post that the suspects cut through the burglar bars which now have to be replaced.
“They threw some things around in the vestry and we not quite sure yet exactly what else was taken because we were waiting for police to check for fingerprints and then we cleaned up so that we could have the service this morning (Sunday) without people having to look at that.”
Staff who arrived at work on Friday discovered the vestry in disarray. “They went into the church and saw that the monitors were gone, they went into the vestry and saw all this stuff strewn about in the vestry and then alerted me, we alerted the police and now there is an investigation.”
Martin says the incident was unexpected and quite traumatising for the congregation.
“It is all quite horrific and traumatising because you don’t expect it to happen in a church.
“People are very passionate about this church and their roots go way back. People will tell you they were baptized here and married here or their mother is buried here, so, it is sad for all of us. It’s a sad thing, how can all of this happen in our church?
“But that is where churches are at the moment, we just become targets and people have no respect. It doesn’t make us better than anyone else in society we just have to be just as vigilant I suppose.”
After the reverend posted a video of the break-in on social media community members expressed their disbelief.
Jenny Jacobs wrote that it was sad: “Not even respect for the house of the Lord.”
While Sandra Elizabeth Craig said it was disgusting.
“This is so disgusting that someone violated the house of God. You will be found because there are more good people in this world than troubled ones like the thief. May God convict you.”
Ursula Cornellissen commented that another church was also affected. “Oh, my word, no respect for our churches. St Augustine’s has also been targeted.”
Muizenberg police spokesperson Capt Stephen Knapp confirmed the incident.
“Muizenberg police can confirm that a case of burglary at a business premises was registered on Friday. Three, 40-inch TVs worth R5 000 each were stolen. No arrest has been made as yet and the case is under investigation.”
