Guelph’s most iconic landmark, the Basilica of Our Lady, was broken into on Sunday, well before the church’s congregation arrived for Sunday mass.
Guelph Police reported Monday that at 2:30 a.m. officers arrived at the 133-year-old church atop Catholic Hill on Norfolk Street to investigate a break and enter.
Police spokesperson Const. Mike Gatto said Monday morning via email that the incident caused minor damage to a front door of the church, but no theft or vandalism took place.
While Gatto said that break and enter crimes are a significant problem in Guelph, this is the first report of a church break in “in quite a while.”
As people arrived for a morning funeral at the church Monday, one person described the act of breaking into a church as 'particularly disgraceful'.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Const. G. Macarthur at 519-824-1212, ext. 7187. Anonymous tips can also be left at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or online at www.csgw.tips.
