Sometime between Saturday night and 6:30am Sunday the bandits smashed their way in through a side door, continuing to break their way into every door and drawer possible – even those that already has keys in them.

Smashed glass, splintered wood and papers could be seen strewn everywhere. It’s the first break-in in 50 years for the white brick church.

Bishop Trevor Stewart said the thieves may have been looking for money but only left with a projector, small LED television, some microphones plus cakes and juice in the fridge for a conference that morning.

“They did do quite a bit of damage,” Bishop Stewart said.

“They took a couple of things of value, but being a church all the materials are free anyway if they want to take it … I think they would have left very disappointed.

“They also went through the lolly jars that were there; they must have been in there for a good couple of hours.”

High Councillor Peter Stewart said it was an unnecessary burden and a dampener on the community’s place of worship.

“If they could return the children’s television at least, it’s just a terrible thing to do,” he said.

Wollongong police are investigating the matter.