A 700 year-old stone cross inside Berrow Church has been damaged by vandals.
The 14th century sandstone preaching cross in St Mary’s Church has been left cracked in several places after several people entered the church.
Rev Jonathan Philpott, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are so disappointed that this has happened – the cross has stood in the church near the alter for centuries.”
“Someone entered the church last Thursday and attempted to move it – but they damaged the stone base of it, splitting open the stone, and were unable to move it all.”
He added: “No-one knows what the motive was – it seems to be senseless. Several items of furniture were moved around inside the church and several flower pots were smashed.”
“This cross has quite an incredible history. When Cromwell was destroying the area, the people of Burtle buried it to save it and then many years later it was brought it to Berrow church. It’s an important part of local history.”
“The whole repairs will be covered by insurance but we will have to pay the £500 excess. How do you put a value on a 14th century item like this?”
Rev Philpott added: “We really want to keep the church open for the public and don’t want one person to spoil it for everyone else.”
