Schoolboy vandals draw giant penis with tomato ketchup on floor of 7th Century Abbey
Shocked volunteers have tried in vain to remove the offensive drawing from the church floor but it is still clearly visible
POLICE are hunting vandals who desecrated an ancient abbey with an unholy ketchup penis.
The young hoodlums also wrote "Jesus" in the sauce next to the obscene drawing on the floor of Minster Abbey.
A trail of ketchup was later found around the altar which led to the tomb of Sir Thomas Cheyne, which had also been caked in the condiment.
Appalled volunteers in Kent discovered the scene shortly after the vandals, believed to be 14 and 15-years-old, fled the church.
Church warden Brenda Smith, 70, said: "It is so sad. I can't understand why anyone would want to do this."
She was greeted with the oversized outline of a penis next to the name of the Christian saviour at the back of the building where young children often play.
Mrs Smith, of Halfway, Kent, said: "I have scrubbed the carpet as much as I can but the outline is still visible.
"This was a totally senseless attack."
An emergency clean-up operation was needed to get it ready for a wedding just three days later.
It is not the first time the church, which is left open during the day for visitors to explore or indulge in private prayer, has been targeted.
Lights and part of its sound system have been stolen in the past from the Grade 1-listed building.
Two teenage boys were seen running from the back of the church by volunteers of the Minster Gatehouse Museum next door, who alerted Mrs Smith.
Police have been informed.
Minster Abbey vicar the Rev Tim Hall said: "This beautiful church has been used for centuries to worship God.
"When bringing your children or grandchildren on a visit here, please teach them what they are here for so the future generation will know and appreciate and come to love and value these buildings as we do."
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The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Sexburgha was founded in 664 by Queen Sexburgha, initially as a nunnery.
The land was given to her by her son Earl Ercombert, the King of Kent.
It includes the tombs of Sir Thomas Cheyne and Robert De Shurland and the de Northwode brasses.
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