Vandals smashed a leadlight window and snapped ornamental crosses at a Dunedin chapel, leaving the church counting the cost.
The damage inside St Joseph's Cathedral chapel was discovered on Friday.
''It is a jolly nuisance,'' Monsignor John Harrison said yesterday.
A small leadlight window - believed to be about 100 years old - was pushed in, while the wooden crosses on some choir chairs were knocked off.
''Thank goodness they left those here.''
He said the cost of the damage could be more than $1000, which was higher than the insurance excess.
''People need to respect the property of other people, because there is a lot of history and meaning that goes with a place such as this.''
''It might be minor in damage but the impact on people can be huge.''
Police inquiries were continuing.
