Vandalism at two local churches has led to thousands of dollars in damages to their air conditioning systems. At the St. Mark's Lutheran Church, located at 81 Main St, in Pennsburg, the theft of copper piping from an exterior unit has forced officials to install a new air conditioning system.

            Pete Reigner, who chairs St. Mark's property committee, estimates the cost for a new system at $12,000. He said there is no plan to complete the installation due to supply chain issues.

            The secretarial and pastor's offices have been without air conditioning all summer, according to Reigner. He said church workers are utilizing multiple fans and open windows to stay cool.

            On June 3, Upper Perk Police were dispatched to the church for a report of a theft of copper piping. According to information from Chief Joe Adam, church officials reported that an unknown subject removed approximately four to five pounds of copper piping from an air conditioning unit, making it inoperable.

            The theft could have occurred any time between last fall and June 2, according to local authorities.

            Reigner said church officials turned the unit on for the first time this summer. He said an electrician inspecting the air conditioning discovered that approximately 50 feet of half-inch tubing had cut out.

            Without Freon in the unit, the entire system burned out, according to Reigner. He compared operating the air conditioning without Freon to driving a car without motor oil.

             A new unit has been ordered, however, Reigner has no idea when it might arrive.

            "I hope it happens shortly," Reigner said Monday afternoon.

            At St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, located at 1325 Klinerd Road in Upper Hanover, officials discovered damage to the air conditioning unit at its parish hall. The situation led church officials to cancel a bingo event originally scheduled for Aug. 7, according to information posted on its website.

            Shirley Misiak, the office manager at St. Philip Neri, declined to comment.  She deferred any questions to Father Anthony Hangholt, who was unavailable.