Beloved Artifacts stolen from historic church

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"To take these treasures has really broken the hearts of many Elders in the community."

May 2, 2012

Sometime after Easter, historic St. Mary's & St. Paul's Anglican Church was broken into and many beloved artifacts were stolen. The theft was discovered when a cleaning crew entered the church to prepare it for an Elder's funeral.

Among the valuables taken were an organ given to the mission by the Governor-General Marquis de Lorne in 1877, a painting of a First Nations Madonna and Child by Wilma Lloyd-Davies and a painting by E.W.W. Pugh from the nineteenth century. A beautiful Bishop's Chair made by the students at St. George's Residential school was also taken. A priceless rood cross has disappeared. All brass and linens were also stolen.

"We are dismayed by the loss," said Chief Janet Webster.

"The church has stood for over 140 years without a theft. To take these treasures has really broken the hearts of many Elders in the community."

People knowing anything, are invited to contact the Lytton RCMP at 1-250-455-2225 or Lytton First Nations' Chief Janet Webster at: 1-250-455-2304 or 1-888-755-2304
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From Don Bain at Union of BC Indian Chiefs
As a follow-up, images of the stolen artifacts are available at:

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch.JPG

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch01.JPG

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch02.JPG

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch03.JPG

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch04.JPG

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch05.JPG

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch06.jpg

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/LyttonChurch07.jpg

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/Lyt ... dCross.JPG

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/Lyt ... hOrgan.jpg

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/Lyt ... inting.jpg

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/Lyt ... ting01.jpg

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/Lyt ... ting02.jpg

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/Images/Lyt ... dCross.JPG