When worshipers arrived to church on Sunday they could see to the heavens, as most of the church roof at St Mary's in Furneux Pelham, Hertfordshire had been stolen.
Thieves stole almost the entire lead from the church roof, on Saturday and Sunday, according to police.
The East Herts Rural Policing Team described the thefts from the church, which dates back to the late 1100s, as "challenging and upsetting".
The stolen leading is reported to cost £220,000. Officers have issued a warning to other churches in the area.
A police spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with everyone linked to the church, we will do everything to try and find those responsible.
"We have notified all local churches but we need to make sure this message is sent far and wide.
"Churches are the hub of the community and they should not be subjected to this sort of behaviour."
— E Herts Rural Police (@EHertsRrlPolice) June 18, 2019
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