The head from a statue of St. Anthony of Padua was found on steps outside St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Chelsea. A vandal, captured on surveillance video, struck around 4 a.m. on June 9.
The head from a statue of St. Anthony of Padua was found on steps outside St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Chelsea. A vandal, captured on surveillance video, struck around 4 a.m. on June 9. ( Photo: Marie Pohl)

The vandalism occurred early in the morning of June 9, on the steps of the 144-year-old St. John the Baptist R C.. Church, located only two blocks south of Madison Square Garden.

Vandal Beheads Statue of St. Anthony outside Historic Chelsea Church
10 Jun 2026 | 06:21
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A statue of Saint Anthony of Padua was toppled in an outdoor area at the church of St. John the Baptist on 213 West 30th street between 7th and 8th Avenues in the early morning hours of June 9.

Martin Downs, 60, who has been the sacristan at St. John for 34 years, told Straus News that when he came to...

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