Historic stained glass windows stolen from Grenville church

Heather Csizmadia knew something was wrong when she walked into St. Matthew's Anglican Church on Tuesday, March 29.

"We had our service here on the Sunday and I came by Tuesday at around 2 p.m.," she told The Review. "I walked in and thought it seemed awfully bright in the church. That's when I knew something was very wrong."

Csizmadia was shocked to see sunlight beaming in through the church windows - not a strange reaction, considering they are usually covered by beautiful century-old stained glass windows.

"The stained glass windows were gone," she stated. "I looked around and the windows were bare. I couldn't believe what I was seeing."

She called the Sûreté du Québec to report the theft of six full stained glass windows, each measuring nearly 10 feet in height. A brass lectern adorned with an eagle was also taken from the small church.

Csizmadia explained the thieves entered through the back of the church by prying the door open. The stained glass windows were on hinges, which she said would have made it "very easy" for thieves to remove quickly.

"I don't imagine it took them very long to do it," she commented. "If you look around, you can see they pretty much just ripped the frames and windows right off the hinges. They weren't careful about it, that's for sure."

The big stained glass window at the front of the church was left behind, as was a window leading out toward the back of the church.

"Maybe they ran out of time," Csizmadia said. "Who knows what made them leave those behind. We all feel blessed that at least those windows were left untouched."

Church members gathered at the church on Thursday, March 31 to survey the damage. Reverend Kay Richardson expressed her disgust at the act of vandalism, noting the windows can never be replaced.

"Those windows were donated by friends and family in memory of loved ones," she remarked. "The windows date back to at least 1893 which make them completely irreplaceable. It's very sad that someone felt the need to do this. I think we all feel violated."

The value of the windows is estimated at more than $92,000.

One church member noted there is a "huge market" for stained glass windows, especially from deconsecrated churches. She said she has done research and learned that the windows are in high demand and can fetch a hefty price.

"It's one thing to buy a window from a deconsecrated church," the church member said. "But in this case, the windows were stolen from a church that is still active and used. It's just horrible. What kind of person does something like this?"

Many church members, including Csizmadia, were fighting back tears as they examined the now bare church windows.

"I just don't understand," she said through tears. "It's so sad."

Richardson said the church's insurance agent has been contacted and an adjustor would visit the scene of the incident. She said the congregation will also consider installing an alarm system to prevent future theft.

"It's pretty sad when you have to think about installing an alarm on a church," Richardson said. "What does that say about the kind of society we live in today?"

If you have any information about this incident, you are encouraged to call 1-800-659-4264.