A 49-year-old man is in custody after allegedly trying to set fire to St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, built in 1850 and federally designated as a National Historic Site.
Police were called to the church, located at 70 James Street South, shortly after 4pm on December 31 for reports of a fire.
Upon arrival, police and fire teams found incendiary materials and signs of arson.
Leslie Cleave, of no fixed address, has been charged with four offences, including arson with disregard for human life and failing to comply with a probation order.
St. Paul’s says on its website that the church has been a key part of the Hamilton community since it was built more than 150 years ago.
“We are extremely proud of our history and our church buildings, which feature pristine elements of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Classical architecture, including a massive all-oak balcony, a 180-foot all-stone spire and 11 bells weighing nearly 6,000 the kilogram.
Hamilton Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Sean Fennessy at 905-540-3819 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
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