A burglar targeted a church in Troy, making off with several priceless artifacts. As our Lori Chung reports, those at St. John's Episcopal Church say it's an irreplaceable loss.

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TROY, N.Y. -- "This was a blow," said Fr. Steve Schlossberg.

The altar at St. John's Episcopal Church in Troy has been laid bare by a burglar.

"A couple of chalices, a charger," said Fr. Schlossberg, listing a sampling of the sterling silver pieces that cops say vanished from their usual spots here.

The artifacts are normally kept in a safe, but were placed on the altar Friday afternoon in preparation for Sunday Services.

"By 6:30, the alter, which had been set up, was bare," said Fr. Schlossberg. "A burglary makes people feel like the building is not safe and that hurts."

The church does have a security system in place, but police say it's one that the suspect found his or her way around.

"Possibly by gaining access to a swipe card, or hopefully not having legitimate access to a swipe card, the offender entered the church," said Troy Police Capt. John Cooney.

Father Schlossberg says he doesn't think anyone connected to the church could have done this.

"It's just hoped that the public, especially those who don't want to get involved with a case like they take it upon themselves and speak up," said Cooney.

But as officials put the word out, church leaders say parishioners have stepped up for now with donations to make sure the church has the supplies it needs, while still hoping their priceless artifacts make their way back home.

"Some of those vessels were gifts made to the church and gifts made in memory of those we love are really hard to replace," said Fr. Schlossberg.