Someone stole the cornerstone of the historic former home of the Gainesville United Methodist Church in Gainesville early this week. Photo Courtesy Susan ColemanMembers of Gainesville United Methodist Church are hoping for the return of the engraved cornerstone of their old church building.
According to Susan Coleman, chair of the church's Board of Directors, between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, someone took the cornerstone of the former church, which they had demolished for safety reasons and cost.
"It has the date '1884' engraved on it, the year the church was built and essentially the beginning of our church family," Coleman said. "We wanted to incorporate the cornerstone into a memorial garden at the site of the old church; we very much want the cornerstone back."
The 132-year-old congregation moved from its former building on the property to its new larger home in 2006.
Coleman said the church filed a report with the police.
"We really just want the cornerstone back - no questions asked," she said. "The stone can be returned anonymously; please leave it outside the front door of Gainesville United Methodist Church."
Anyone with information relating to this incident can also contact Crime Solvers at 703-670-3700 or 1-866-411-TIPS.
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