St. Peter Claver statue vandalized, considered beyond repair

Vandals attacked a statue at downtown Lexington’s Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church on Wednesday night, leaving it beyond repair.

Father Norman Fischer said Saturday that car tracks were found leading up to the statue, called the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The arm of the statue was broken off, and the fingers, face and base were significantly damaged.

“That statue has been a sign at the corner of Fourth and Jefferson — a sign of stability, hope, healing and courage,” Fischer said. “But I call our people the living stones of the church. No matter what happens to the exterior, they cannot steal our joy. Our joy is rooted in Christ.”

Fischer said the statue will not be replaced because the church does not have the money for it.

Another statue was stolen from the church several years ago, Fischer said, but that statue was recovered and returned intact.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 3:59 PM with the headline "St. Peter Claver statue vandalized, considered beyond repair."