Brazen thieves chucked a 380-year-old bell off a church roof before stealing it.
The cast bronze bell is believed to have been taken from All Saints Church, in Hindley, Wigan, last Wednesday (January 27).
However, volunteers only realised it was missing on Saturday when they discovered a perfect bell-shaped divot in a patch of grass in the churchyard.
Eileen Magee, who volunteers at the church in Chapel Fields Lane, said: "I can't believe it, I feel sick.
"We have no idea how they got up there.
"I have been involved in this church for about 80 years. It's full of history.
"I'm so angry. The people who have done this are just scum."
The bell is believed to date back to 1641, and was the original one used in the old chapel that previously stood on the site.
The Grade II listed church was built in 1766 after the chapel had to be demolished due to being deemed unsafe.
The thieves are believed to have pulled up outside the church in a white van at about 9.45pm.
After somehow managing to scale the building, they cut the bell free from its rope.
It is thought they then lobbed it on down on to the grass before hauling it into the van.
"It beggars belief," said Ms Magee.
"Everybody in the community is so angry at what has happened.
"Even people who don't come to the church are backing us."
Volunteers say they are worried they may never retrieve the bell, and fear it may already have been 'smashed up' or taken to a scrap yard.
"It could be anywhere in the country," said Ms Magee. "We can't replace it, it's priceless.
"If whoever has done this has any conscience, please just bring it back. If they dump it in the church yard, we will put it back."
The church is appealing for anyone with information about the theft to get in touch, or contact the police.
Greater Manchester Police did not respond to the M.E.N's request for comment.
