Break-in at Holy Spirit church probed
(Photo courtesy GEOFFREY CANT) This image shows the altar at Holy Spirit Church near Dover. The cross above the altar was taken, as were the floor candelabra in the right and left sides of the frame.
DOVER — Bonner County sheriff’s officials are investigating a burglary at the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church.
The break-in was discovered by the Rev. Nolan Redman as he opened the church up for services on Sunday morning.
A number of sacred and secular items were taken in the burglary, according to church member Geoffrey Cant. They included a large cross which hung above the church’s altar, a tabernacle, patens used to hold Eucharist bread, other crosses, chalices, candlesticks, an ointment anointing ring, collection plates, two desktop computers and a brand new vacuum cleaner.
“We went ahead and had Sunday morning services, with a heavy heart I should say,” said Cant.
Also taken in the heist were a basket of donations for Bonner Homeless Transitions and, inexplicably, a stack of bulletins for Sunday’s services.
Whomever was behind the thefts left behind the church’s sacrament and the reserve sacrament.
It’s believed the perpetrator defeated a door lock that is now being upgraded. The church did not have surveillance system.
Cant is hoping the stolen items turn up at pawn shops or scrap metal yards. The cross hanging above the altar came from the century-old Episcopal church, St. Agnes, which was formerly located in Sandpoint.
“The candelabra are pretty unique. So is the cross,” said Cant.
Those with information about the break-in are urged to contact the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office at 208-263-8417.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.