Stolen historic church bell in growing theft toll
“Just sadness” as a regional SA church bell that has tolled for weddings and funerals for more than 100 years is stolen.
St Peters Anglican Church in Mallala has had its more than 100-year-old brass bell stolen.
Church warden Judith Cawrse told InDaily the discovery of the stolen bell had created sadness amongst the church community located 62 kilometres north of Adelaide.
“There’s just sadness, I doubt whether we’re going to be able to replace it,” Cawrse said.
“You can always hope, but you can imagine what’s happened to it. Obviously they’ve got a need, whether it’s a need to put food on the table or a need to make a dishonest living.”
Cawrse has lived in the area for more than 50 years and has been attending the church for more than 10 years as the warden and treasurer.
She told InDaily churchgoers would ring the bell 33 times each Sunday morning before service – relating to Jesus’ 33 year life span on earth.
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“It was nice to ring it out on a Sunday morning, the one Sunday in the month that we had church,” Cawrse said.
“It’s a lovely little church. It’s set back from the road, it’s quite pleasant, people think it’s cute, and when the congregations are small it’s nice not to be worshipping in a big church.”
SA Police are currently investigating the theft of the century-old brass church bell, which occurred in the week between 5pm on October 2 and 3pm October 8.
“The bell is approximately 100 years old and holds significant historical and sentimental value to the local community,” an SA Police statement said.
“Not only is it a significant part of the church’s history but is also a treasured symbol of the local community’s heritage.
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“For generations, the bell has marked important occasions including church services, weddings, funerals and community gatherings, making its loss deeply felt by parishioners and residents alike.”
St Peters Anglican Church on Aerodrome Road, Mallala, was first licensed in September 1884 by Bishop Kennion, Bishop of Adelaide and has been active ever since.
The church holds one monthly Sunday service, with congregations alternating between Mallala and St Paul’s Anglican Church in Two Wells.
Earlier this week, multiple war memorial plaques were stolen from Rose Park Burnside District Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial, including four from the Helping Hand statue which dates back to 1924.
“Our depot team were quickly alerted to the missing plaques and proactively removed one remaining plaque from the Helping Hand statue for safekeeping, which commemorated those who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War,” a Burnside Council statement said.
“Sadly, all four original plaques from 1924 have been stolen.
“The Burnside District Fallen Soldier’s Memorial commemorates over 100 individuals who served in past conflicts and the theft of these plaques is a heartbreaking loss, especially to the families of the fallen.”
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Chris Picton condemned the theft, calling it “shameful” and one of the “most disgraceful acts of vandalism” in living memory.
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