A village church says it is facing an “irreplaceable loss” after historic communion silver worth thousands of pounds was stolen.

The rector of St Margaret of Antioch Church said the theft felt like “a sacrilege” after treasured items used in Christian worship disappeared on Saturday.

Police investigated after valuable silverware was taken from the church in Barley, Hertfordshire, between 15:00 and 16:45 GMT on 7th March 2026.

Among the stolen pieces were two chalices, a silver communion flagon, a silver paten used to serve communion bread and a box containing other silver objects. The total value of the items was estimated at about £25,000.

The most significant pieces included the Barley Chalice, valued at about £15,000 and used during special services such as Easter, and a James I silver paten worth about £8,000. Both dated from between 1612 and 1619.

Rector Rev Mark Bridgen said the theft had deeply affected the local congregation and community.

He said: “We are worried it is an irreplaceable loss, and we may not get them back.”

He explained that the items belonged not just to the church but to the whole village, creating “much more of a corporate sense of loss”.

The theft was discovered by the church’s 94-year-old verger, who rev Bridgen said had been “left shocked considering his age and devotion”.

PC Andy Hamilton from Hertfordshire Constabulary said police were appealing for anyone who saw suspicious activity in Barley that afternoon or who had seen the items offered for sale.