A PLAQUE 'of priceless historical value' has gone missing from St John's Church in Beachley, much to the bewilderment of the local history society which wants to lease the building.
"It wasn't actually broken into," said local historian Keith Underwood, who has been negotiating with the diocese for the St John's at Beachley Society to be able to use the redundant church.
"It appears that people from the society and the diocese who had been going into the building and then locking up afterwards did not notice that the lock was faulty.
"So it was in fact not properly shut and until fixed people could just walk in. But it is very baffling why they should take the plaque.
"There were no signs of vandalism and nothing else had been touched.
"But the plaque actually bears the names of the Jenkins family who founded the church and established the Beachley-Aust ferry service. They are buried there in the churchyard."
Mr Underwood, whose own parents are also buried in the St John's churchyard, said that after services stopped at the church two years ago and the building was declared redundant, the church plate, hangings and other items had been taken out by the diocese.
However, what was left had been kept in good condition. Since the theft of the plaque however, precautions had been taken to make sure the building, originally in the church parish of Tidenham, Lancaut and Beachley, was secure.
Services in the area continue at Tidenham and Chase churches.
The police are looking into the theft of the plaque and Mr Underwood would welcome any news of its whereabouts.