Stained glass windows stolen from historic Braddock church

Police are investigating the theft of more than a dozen stained-glass window panes from a 126-year-old church in Braddock.

A passerby noticed the theft Thursday morning at the former First United Presbyterian Church on Parker Avenue, according to a spokesman for the Mon-Valley Initiative.

The church, built in 1893, shut down in 2017. The Mon-Valley Initiative bought it last year and planned to redevelop the church into housing while retaining much of the original features, said spokesman Jason Togyer.

The thief or thieves made off with 13 panes of glass ranging from 2 square feet to 3 feet by 2 feet. Fourteen windows sustained damage.

Laura Zinski, chief executive of the Mon-Valley Initiative, said the group fears the windows will be pawned to an antique dealer or salvage dealer, and the buyers might not know the panes are stolen.

Some panes depict a larger lily set against a background of yellow or cream hexagons. Others show just yellow or cream hexagons.

Togyer said Braddock police believe the same person or people might have tried to break into the Braddock Carnegie Library on Wednesday night as well.

Braddock police could not immediately be reached.

Anyone with information can contact police at 412-351-5400 or the Mon-Valley Initiative at 412-464-4000.