ARLINGTON – Thieves smashed windows at an Arlington church overnight Friday and stole a safe, but it’s not money or financial documents that has parishioners praying for a safe return.
The safe contained sacramental registers for baptisms, marriages, deaths and confirmations and other vital records dating back decades at the Immaculate Conception Church in Arlington.
“We are appealing to whoever may be responsible to please return the record books that were in the safe,” Nadine Locke Kapoun posted on Facebook. “The record books have no financial value….they are our cherished history.”
The break-in occurred between 5 p.m. on Jan. 4, and 8 a.m. on Jan. 5.
Police spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said there isn’t much detail to go on yet, but detectives are investigating, and the church is conducting an inventory to help with the case.
Specifically, six of the labeled hardcover books that were in the safe measure 9-by-14 inches, while the other two smaller and differently designed books were for First Communion and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
If found, they should be returned to Immaculate Conception Church, 1200 E. 5th St.
“Since they have no value we fear they’ll be disposed of,” Rita Ehli Meehan said in a Facebook post. “Everyone please pray for their safe return and be on the lookout and help us. We know they’re out there.”
Anyone with details is asked to contact Arlington police at 360-403-3400 or the SNO911 non-emergency line at 425-407-3999.
This story originally appeared in The Arlington Times, a sibling paper of The Daily Herald.
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