ST. PAUL — Police are trying to find a solid bronze vessel worth $15,000 stolen from a St. Paul church.

Surveillance video shows three males rolling the 50-pound holy object on the sidewalk outside St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church early Friday.

The tabernacle is an item found in every Catholic church. It holds the Eucharist outside of Mass and was kept in an alcove behind the main altar.

The Rev. Michael Byron says he assumes whoever stole it had no idea of its value to the spiritual life of his congregation, and says his parishioners’ hearts are broken.

Sgt. Jason Brubaker says the suspects appeared to be teens or young adults and probably took it for the value of the metal. He asks anyone who knows anything about the theft to contact police.