Parishioners of an Orillia church are reeling from the discovery of a vandalized cross on the property.
The cross was found damaged outside of St. David’s Anglican Church on James Street in Orillia on Saturday.
"I felt my heart and my stomach just sink to the pit," says Pastor Lori Pilatzke. "For those who have faith and you follow a faith these symbols are very important to us."
The church calls it the warming cross. People in need can find winter items here.
"The cross to me is a symbol of hope, hope for the whole community at St. David’s and the surrounding areas," says parishioner Shirley Holcomb.
The cross is back up at the church, but its only being held together with tape and a few screws.
Orillia OPP are investigating. They do not believe that this was a hate crime.
"If it was playful misadventure, maybe somebody backed into it by mistake or maybe somebody did it on purpose and they regret it. Either way coming forward would be an awesome thing to happen so we can put an end to this," says OPP Const. Martin Hill.
The OPP are appealing to anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers.
