Rare ‘Sacred’ Book Stolen From Suffolk Church

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 28, 2026

A rare 1548 religious book, the Paraphrases of Erasmus, was stolen from St Mary’s Church in Chediston, Suffolk, where it had been displayed. The book’s rarity, largely due to most copies being destroyed in the UK during Mary I’s reign, makes its recovery crucial for preserving a significant piece of religious and cultural history.

A rare religious book dating back to 1548 has been stolen from St Mary’s Church in Chediston, Suffolk. The missing volume, a copy of the Paraphrases of Erasmus, was on display at the church near Halesworth when it was taken.

Reverend Dr. Edmund Smith, the curate at St Mary’s, described the book as a significant rarity. He noted that most copies of this work in the United Kingdom were destroyed during the reign of Mary I, making the church’s copy particularly precious.

Dr. Smith appealed for the return of the book, emphasizing its sacred nature and the gravity of its theft. He expressed hope that the person responsible would recognize the seriousness of taking an object held in spiritual regard by the church.

Authorities have not disclosed whether there are any leads in the investigation, and it remains unclear when the theft occurred. Efforts to recover the book are ongoing.

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