The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Orange police are investigating a robbery at St. Mary Catholic Church where $12,000 in gold and brass Holy communion vessels were stolen.

According to police, there were no signs of forced entry, indicating that the church may have been unlocked. The church, in past history was unlocked to parishioners 24 hours a day.

Items taken from the church included seven chalices, four ciboriums that hold communion wafers, six brass candle holders, two brass pots, a side table that holds chalices, sacramental wine, and a monstrance used to display the eucharist.

St. Mary has a security guard who lives next to the church, and parish members who check doors to make sure they are locked.

The investigation is ongoing.