Stolen Christ Child Statue Returned to Perryopolis Parish

December 28, 2022 —  Parishioners at St. John the Baptist Parish in Perryopolis are grateful for the return of a Christ Child statue that was stolen from a nativity scene outside the Church on Christmas Day. The nativity scene was purchased nearly 40 years ago and has been displayed outside the church each year since then.

Video surveillance revealed footage of the perpetrator’s vehicle and indicated that the figurine was stolen at 8:36 p.m. on Sunday. Parishioners noticed the statue was missing on Monday, and alerted the pastor and staff, who then called the Perryopolis Police Department.

Clips from the surveillance video were posted on social media Tuesday and within 24 hours the figurine was returned. Parishioners found it after daily Mass on Wednesday underneath the church bell. They helped return the baby Jesus to the Nativity scene.

St. John the Baptist Parish was founded in 1904 and was rebuilt in 1974. It currently serves more than 1,200 parishioners.