A historic golden crown, adorned with jewels and valued at approximately $30,000, was stolen from a beloved statue of Mary at St. John the Evangelist Church in downtown Philadelphia on Jan. 11. The thief, captured on security footage, smashed a stained-glass window to gain entry just after 1 a.m. and fled in a Mitsubishi vehicle within seven minutes, according to the church’s pastor, Capuchin Franciscan Father Thomas Betz.
The crown held immense historical and spiritual significance. The Italian marble statue, installed in 1855, survived a devastating fire in 1899 that destroyed the church’s interior. Parishioners, in gratitude for the statue’s preservation, donated gold, jewels, and heirlooms to craft the crown. James E. Caldwell and Company designed the crown around 1900, which was later placed on the statue as a symbol of hope and resilience.
Father Betz commended the Philadelphia Police Department for their diligent efforts to recover the crown and described the theft as a targeted act, with the thief seemingly focused solely on the crown. Anne Kirkwood, the parish historian, highlighted the crown’s irreplaceable value as both an artifact of faith and a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
The theft has deeply saddened the parish community, including longtime parishioner Liz Bueding, who expressed disbelief but noted that the church itself was not defaced during the incident. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia issued a statement expressing solidarity with parishioners, recalling the four firefighters who lost their lives in the 1899 blaze and the rededication of the church that inspired the crown’s creation.
Father Betz extended a plea to the thief to return the crown and turn their life around. The statue of Mary remains a cherished symbol for the parish, with many parishioners lighting candles and praying before it. Efforts to recover the crown continue as the community prays for justice and healing.
