This once vibrant community in south-central Vermont now has factories that are mostly empty, and the town of about 4,000 residents struggles with unemployment and empty storefronts. Over the past six weeks, nearly ten businesses on Main Street have been broken into and robbed. On Sunday, April 29, some time after church services ended at Old South Church and before its members gathered on Monday morning to begin work on an upcoming rummage sale, the church joined the ranks of robbery victims.
Windsor police are currently investigating a theft at the church in which a silverplate tea set, a creamer and sugar bowl, two pewter tankards and a pewter plate were taken from a locked curio cabinet. Both the tankards and the plate are more than 200 years old. A paper label on the underside of the plate, which may now have been removed, reads in part “Bush-Robert & Co. Bristol & Bilton, Glocs’ †Mentioned in 1793 in Matthew’s first Bristol Directory as pewterers, brass & coppersmiths of 20 High St. & St Thomas St.”
“Beyond the monetary value of these items is their place in our history,” said Reverend Mandy Lape-Freeberg, the church’s senior minister. “They speak to us of the generous faithful who founded our building and who encourage us even now. Please help our historic items find their way home.”
Old South Church is a member of the United Church of Christ and was gathered in 1768.
Anyone having information as to the whereabouts of any of these items is asked to contact officer Douglas Roberts of the Windsor Police Department, 802-674-9042, referencing case number 12WN00530.
