Squirrel vandalizes Mackinac Island church, breaks antique crucifix [View all]

Today 7:35 AM
By Tanda Gmiter



MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – A squirrel accidentally trapped overnight in one of Mackinac Island’s oldest churches did some unholy damage – breaking apart the figure of Jesus on an antique crucifix and sending the cross crashing to the floor. But with some patience, some patching and the deft touch of two artists on the island, Ste. Anne’s Catholic Church now has its vintage treasure back on the wall behind the altar.

The damage done by the uninvited visitor was discovered earlier this winter. Leanne Brodeur, the church’s administrative assistant, said when she walked into the downstairs area the parish uses to celebrate Mass in the winter, she initially thought vandals had broken in. Plants were tipped over. Unlit votive candles were knocked askew. And the crucifix that had been on the wall behind the altar was on the floor, the plaster figure of Jesus broken into pieces.

Brodeur called Jim Morse, the church’s maintenance engineer, to survey the mess. “Jim thought it was a critter,” Brodeur said. “We looked around, and that’s when we saw him. There was a squirrel sitting on top of the piano, looking at us.”

They opened the church’s side doors and chased out the four-legged intruder. They suspect the squirrel had gotten in through a door someone had left open the day before, then found itself trapped inside for the night. The rodent had chewed up the wooden window sills, too, likely trying to get back outside.

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https://www.mlive.com/news/2021/03/squirrel-vandalizes-mackinac-island-church-breaks-antique-crucifix.html