Image credit: Courtesy of The Episcopal Parish of Alton
Parish Offers Reward for Stolen Statue of Saint Francis After Alton Theft
A parish in Alton, Illinois, now offers a reward for a stolen statue of Saint Francis, taken from its garden over the weekend. Thieves removed the hammered copper figure from Saint Paul Episcopal Church, located at 10 East Third Street, leaving only an empty concrete base behind. Interestingly, the timing feels particularly poignant, since the wider Church honours Saint Francis of Assisi each year on October 4. Consequently, parishioners now hope for the statue’s safe return well before that upcoming feast day. Father Garron Daniels, the parish’s director, described his shock upon discovering the theft early Sunday morning. “The first thing you normally see is Saint Francis, and when I pulled up, it’s just gone,” he said. His reaction, understandably, echoed the disbelief felt across the wider Alton community.
The statue itself carried significant artistic and historical value beyond mere sentiment. Sculptor Hillis Arnold created the piece, and he was known for producing religious artwork across churches and buildings throughout the Midwest. According to church officials, the statue had stood within the garden since the late 1960s or early 1970s. Therefore, it had watched over that quiet space for approximately five to six decades. Furthermore, this was not the statue’s first brush with theft, since it reportedly disappeared briefly during the 1980s and again sometime in the 1990s. Nevertheless, it always eventually returned home, restoring hope among longtime parishioners each time.
Father Daniels explained that copper theft has become an ongoing frustration for the parish in recent years. “We’ve made multiple police reports. I think by the time with this, we’ve made four or five different police reports about copper being stolen,” he said. Clearly, this incident represents part of a larger, troubling pattern rather than an isolated event. However, Daniels emphasised that this particular loss cut far deeper than previous thefts. “It was more than just even a statue. It was more than just copper. It was a beloved part of this building and it was almost like another parishioner for us,” he explained. Meanwhile, Kent Hake, a nearby resident, called the theft simply heartbreaking, noting how welcoming the church has always felt to the surrounding neighbourhood.
Responding quickly, the parish offers a reward for the stolen statue of Saint Francis, gathered through generous community donations. Reports indicate the fund grew from an initial one thousand two hundred dollars to a more substantial two thousand dollars. Notably, church officials stressed that the reward comes with no conditions attached, meaning no questions would be asked. This generous, no-strings approach reflects the community’s genuine desire simply to recover the beloved figure. Additionally, several local news outlets across the St. Louis region have already covered the story, helping spread awareness beyond Alton itself. Therefore, residents throughout the wider area now know to watch for the missing statue.
Despite the setback, Father Daniels remains hopeful that the statue will eventually find its way home again. “We ask for continued prayers and just continue searching. We don’t think it’s over and done. It was a renowned piece, and we’re just hoping that it will return,” he said. This hopeful outlook mirrors the very spirit that Saint Francis himself famously embodied throughout his own life. Indeed, Franciscan tradition consistently emphasises peace, resilience and trust amid genuine hardship. Consequently, many parishioners see a certain fitting symbolism within this current trial. Even amid frustration, the community continues choosing hope over despair, much like the saint the statue once depicted.
This incident also raises broader questions about protecting outdoor religious artwork across ageing parish properties. Many older churches display valuable statues, bells or fixtures crafted from metals that attract opportunistic thieves. Therefore, some parishes have begun exploring additional security measures, including cameras, alarms and improved outdoor lighting. Whether Alton’s church pursues similar steps remains unclear at this stage. Nevertheless, this theft will likely prompt renewed conversation among nearby congregations about safeguarding cherished religious symbols. For now, though, attention remains firmly fixed on recovering the missing statue itself.
Community members wishing to help are encouraged to contact Saint Paul Episcopal Church directly with any information. Meanwhile, readers can follow ongoing local coverage through outlets such as First Alert 4 and Fox 2 Now for further updates. Ultimately, this small Alton garden, once quietly watched over by Saint Francis, now awaits his return with genuine anticipation. Until then, the community continues holding onto hope, prayer and patient trust.
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