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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Thieves steal five stained glass windows from church

A thief stole five stained glass windows from the All Saints Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec. 7. (Spokane Police Department)
Spokane police are seeking a thief who made off with five stained glass windows from All Saints Lutheran Church Sunday. The windows were specially made for the church in 1911 and are part of a series of eight depicting the life of Jesus. “They don’t have any value to anybody other than us because they’re part of our history,” said pastor Alan Eschenbacher. “Those are the kinds of things you really can’t replace. The insurance will take care of the rest of it.” The church, located at 314 South Spruce St., reported the theft Sunday morning around 7:30 a.m. and believes the thief broke in early that morning. The windows weigh approximately 20 pounds each, so Eschenbacher believes they were taken by somebody with a vehicle. The thief also stole four hand-carved decorative eggs, a sound system and food from the church kitchen destined for their food bank. “It was a very strange break in all in all,” Eschanbacher said. In the nearly 13 years he’s been the church’s pastor, he said this is the first break-in the church has had. His pulpit Bible, weighing about 25 pounds, was also taken. “I’m hoping they’re reading it,” he said. Police estimated damage to the church and the value of the stolen items at more than $6,000. They are asking anyone with information to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.