Thieves drove through the main gate of All Saints Church in Ripley's churchyard in a van sometime between last Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
The damage made to Grade II listed church is expected to cost thousands to repair.
While Rev Paul Harford said the incident has pulled "time, energy and money, away from the church's engagement with the community", he revealed he was left pondering the motive behind the crime.
He told the Harrogate Advertiser: "A historic building has been damaged, and put at great risk of further damage, but is that the real concern here? Should we not be questioning how we have created a society in which people are driven to such dangerous, and desperate acts of vandalism to support themselves?
"My thoughts and prayers are with the perpetrators of this crime, they need help even more than our poor roof."
The church is considering installing a new roof alarm system following the incident, if enough funds can be raised.
North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses, or those with information to come forward to the incident by calling 101 quoting reference NYP-1012019-0102.
People wishing to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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