A devastating break-in at the Central Saanich United Church has left a historic place of worship without critical equipment – but not without heart.
Sometime between 7 p.m. on Friday, May 30 and 9 a.m. the next morning, intruders broke into the church at 7180 East Saanich Rd. by smashing through a pane of century-old heritage glass.
The damage wasn’t just symbolic – once inside, intruders made off with thousands of dollars worth of equipment, including a 98-inch LED screen, sound mixers, an AED defibrillator, a first-aid kit and even food set aside for the church’s weekly community lunch.
They also pulled gear off the walls, leaving deep gouges behind, and abandoned the church’s sound board in the rain.
Gloves were left outside, and a half-eaten brownie was found on the counter inside – both now potential clues in a police investigation.
At time of press, Central Saanich Police had not responded to a request for comment.
Just hours after discovering the damage, volunteers at the church pressed on.
That Saturday morning, the congregation’s Food and Friendship program went ahead as planned, serving a free hot lunch to more than 30 community members.
“We can’t let this get us down,” Phil Cotterell, one of the church’s seven trustees said. “There are people who’ve been coming to this lunch since we started it – it’s a place where lonely people can come and make friends. If someone can’t afford a meal, it’s a nice hot meal. We weren’t going to cancel.”
The church – formerly known as Shady Creek United Church – is more than 100 years old and holds deep cultural roots on the Saanich Peninsula.
Today, the small congregation continues to serve the wider community through outreach programs like the Saturday lunches, a community choir, and a daycare centre right beside the church.
The break-in came just months after the church completed a new addition: Shadywood Hall, which housed much of the stolen equipment.
“The emotional part is hard,” Cotterell said. “We had just built this new extension and stretched our budget to put in equipment that helps us serve the community. It’s not just for us – it’s for everyone.”
Despite the damage and the sense of violation, the congregation hasn’t missed a beat. In addition to the lunch on Saturday, a choir concert was held at the church two nights later, filling the building with music and local support.
The church has since launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $10,000 to replace the stolen AV gear, repair the shattered window and damaged walls, and strengthen security to prevent future break-ins. Donations can also be made directly at the church.
“We’re a small church, and that means we all carry a bit more of the load,” Cotterell said. “But there’s so much joy in it. We do it because it feeds our own hearts and souls.”
The congregation has already started hearing from past attendees and former members – including people who moved away decades ago. The outpouring of support is helping the church move forward and stay true to its mission.
“Our purpose is to be part of the community,” Cotterell said. “To welcome people with open arms.”
