Windows smashed, Virgin Mary toppled outside Hamilton church

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Published March 20, 2023 at 3:10 pm

st patricks church hamilton ontario vandalism mary statue
Surveillance video shows a man in a reflective vest going on a vandalism spree outside St. Patrick's church in Hamilton.

The Hamilton Police Service says it’s aware of a string of vandalism that took place overnight Sunday at a local church. It appears that the damage was done by one man wearing a toque and a reflective vest.

Police told hamilton.insauga.com that they were notified of the incident by St. Patrick’s on Sunday and that it occurred shortly after 2 a.m.

A damage estimate has not been submitted to police, but the Roman Catholic church, located at the corner of King St. and Victoria Ave., believes it’s in the neighbourhood of $25,000.

st patricks church hamilton ontario vandalism mary statue

The statue of the Virgin Mary outside St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Hamilton.

Surveillance video of the incident was submitted to CHCH News. It shows a man that appears to be in his 50s throwing a brick toward the church. He can also be seen ripping a statue of the Virgin Mary out of its base before toppling it over.

While police have not identified a motive, it’s at least notable that St. Patrick’s Church was vandalized during a weekend in which St. Patrick’s Day was being celebrated.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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