Statue of Jesus Stolen From La Crescenta Church

For 46 years, a life-size crucifix graced the altar of St. James the Less Church. But during Holy Week, someone broke into the La Crescenta Catholic church taking a statue of Jesus but leaving behind the cross and crown of thorns.

The 90-pound wooden replica of the crucified Jesus, valued at $12,000, was stored behind the altar at the Dunsmore Avenue church, an employee said. Police said the statue disappeared between 7:30 a.m. April 9 and 11 a.m. April 10. An employee reported the statue missing to police April 11.

From the time the church opened in 1955 until last year, the crucifix had hung over the altar, said Russell Conrad, the church’s plant manager. A statue similar in size that depicts Christ rising from the dead replaced it.

“I couldn’t believe it was gone,” said Conrad, who found pieces of the crown strewn on the carpet. It would cost the church $9,200 to replace the statue, he said.

The crucifix has profound significance and value for Catholics.

“It’s both a sign of Christ’s sacrifice for us and a symbol of his resurrection and victory over death,” said Tod Tamberg, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

St. James’ priests, Msgr. Robert Gipson and Father Joseph Maechler, were on a retreat and could not be reached for comment.

Glendale police said they had few leads in the investigation. A lab technician was searching for fingerprints Tuesday.

“We don’t know for sure what happened at this point,” said Sgt. Rick Young. “Our first impression is that it was a prank or some satanic-type ritual.”

Officer John Genna said local school officers and sheriff’s detectives are cooperating in the investigation.

“We’re kind of baffled right now,” Genna said. “It’s right after Easter. It’s sad and devastating for the church.”

Parishioners Jerry Peterson, 77, and Victor Sosa, 58, were shocked by the vandalism.

“I was mortified,” Peterson said outside the church Tuesday afternoon, “especially because it was Holy Week.”

Sosa, a parishioner since 1978, said, “It’s terrible. My daughter was married in that church.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (818) 507-STOP or Glendale Police at (818) 548-3101.