PORTUGAL COVE-ST. PHILIP'S, N.L. � A bizarre act of property damage at the old Anglican church in this town outside St. John's Wednesday morning has left parishioners and townspeople stunned and angered.

A heated debate over the future of the 116-year-old church, which has been vacant for several years, entered a new dimension just after 8 a.m. when several people went to great lengths to rip the iconic steeple from its roof.

Several of the wooden supports for the five-metre high steeple appeared to be cut with a power tool, which was then violently pried from its perch, a drop of about 10 metres to the ground. The remains of a thick blue nylon rope was found still attached to a beam inside the steeple, and observers believe whoever carried out the act used a heavy vehicle to pull it down.

The steeple plowed peak-first into the ground, landing metres from nearby graves and gouging a trench in the grass.

In a testament to its workmanship, the steeple stayed intact, although the small cross that was attached to its crown was nowhere to be found.

Dozens of bewildered and angry residents gathered at the property following the incident, expressing shock that someone would take such action.

Bill Lamswood, who lives not far from the church, said he heard construction noises Wednesday morning. He was shocked when he looked out his window and noticed the steeple was down.

Lamswood, 74, said he observed three people outside the church, but could not identify them.

He regrets not jumping in his pickup and blocking off the access road to the church.

"I was shaking," Lamswood said.

Another area resident, Amy Tucker, was in her basement and said she felt a "thump" shortly after 8 a.m.

The incident occurred a day after the town council voted 6-1 to reject an application from the parish for a demolition permit, and after weeks of emotional debate about the fate of the building.

Parish officials want to remove the church in order to expand the cemetery. Another group, called the Church by the Sea, is attempting to gain control of the building in order to establish a heritage museum.

Rev. Edward Keeping, who took over the parish a year and a half ago, has led an aggressive campaign to have the structure demolished.

Despite the high-profile incident on church property, Keeping was nowhere in sight Wednesday nor was the church warden, who manages the property.

The church office, which usually opens at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, was closed throughout the day.

A spokeswoman for the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland called on all sides to "pause" during Easter Week. She said the diocese will issue a statement after Easter.

Police were called to the scene, but an officer said an investigation cannot be launched unless the property owners � the diocese � files a formal complaint.

The town council is now seeking a court injunction to make it illegal to damage the property, and has passed a motion to seek municipal heritage status for the church.

Town staff and volunteers will also provide around-the-clock security at the site, and the town is posting a $500 reward for information leading to the identity of those responsible.

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