Image Credit: Courtesy of The Episcopal Parish of Alton / Edited in Canva
October 4, 2026
What Happened to the Stolen Saint Francis Statue in Alton
Christians mark the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on October 4. This year, however, being the 800th Anniversary of Saint Francis’ death, one Illinois parish marks it with sorrow. The stolen Saint Francis statue from the Episcopal Parish of Alton will not come home. Police have identified those responsible for the theft. Unfortunately, the thieves scrapped the copper artwork in Saint Louis less than 48 hours after they took it. Therefore, the parish now looks to the future.
The theft happened between Saturday evening, September 12, and Sunday morning, September 13, 2026. Parishioners were at the church on Saturday night, and the last ones left in the early evening. Then, sometime before Sunday Masses begun, thieves took the hammered copper statue from Saint Paul’s Garden. Rev. Fr. Garron Daniels noticed it was gone when he arrived at the rectory that morning. Indeed, the statue was normally the first thing visitors saw. As a result, the loss shocked the whole community.
The statue stood near a fountain in the garden for about five decades. Hillis Arnold, a sculptor who made works for churches and buildings across Saint Louis and the Midwest, created it. According to the rector, the parish installed it in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Moreover, it meant far more than metal to the congregation. He described it as almost another parishioner.
At first, the parish begged the thief to return it. Parishioners offered a reward of $1,200 for its safe return. Later, community members in Alton raised the reward to $2,000, with no questions asked. Meanwhile, Fr. Daniels spoke with mercy. He said he forgave whoever took it and wanted only its return. In addition, the parish contacted scrap yards and made police reports.
The statue was not the first target. Thieves stole all the church’s copper downspouts over several weeks in late June. As a result, the church filed several police reports. Furthermore, the statue had disappeared at least once before, in the 1980s or 1990s. Consequently, the church filled its base with concrete and rebar. Even so, the Reverend Daniels believes a group of thieves worked loudly to remove it.
Then came the update. On Thursday, October 1, the parish announced that the Alton Police Department had found who stole the statue. The thieves had sold it for scrap in Saint Louis for roughly $100. Meanwhile, the parish had hoped for its safe return. Sadly, that hope has ended. The stolen Saint Francis statue is gone, and no one can replace the original.
The Reverend Daniels now leaves justice to the police detectives and the courts. He said those responsible must still face the consequences of their actions. In addition, the parish will work with its insurance company to explore a replacement. He admitted that a new statue will not be the same. Nevertheless, he said it could still become a fresh chapter for the parish. Finally, he asked parishioners to pray for those who stole the statue.
This response fits the spirit of Saint Francis. He became known for mercy, humility and care for creation. Similarly, the Reverend Daniels chose forgiveness over anger. Therefore, the story offers a lesson beyond the theft. Christians can grieve a loss and still pray for the person who caused it. Moreover, the parish shows that a sacred place depends on its people more than on any object.
You can read the original reports at River Bender, First Alert 4 and Fox 2 Now. In addition, you can revisit our earlier story, Parish Offers Reward for Missing Statue of Saint Francis. Meanwhile, readers who wish to help can contact the Episcopal Parish of Alton directly. Please also share this story, so that other churches stay alert to copper theft.
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