Stolen baby Jesus statue returned to Hoboken church after 90 years

<p>A statue of baby Jesus that was stolen from a Hoboken church in the 1930s was finally returned.</p>

News 12 Staff

Mar 16, 2018, 1:26 AM

Updated 2,242 days ago

Share:

A statue of baby Jesus that was stolen from a Hoboken church in the 1930s was finally returned.
Rev. Alexander Santora of Our Lady of Grace says that the church received a strange package without a return address. Fearing that the package may be dangerous, the reverend called police to have them take a look.
Inside the package was a baby Jesus statue and an anonymous letter. The letter stated, “My mom told me that the baby Jesus had been stolen from the church nativity display from Our Lady of Grace when she was a young girl of about 12 years of age in the early 1930s."
The statue had apparently been passed down in the family for nearly 90 years. But the sender said that it was time to return the statue to where it came from.
“I think it’s lovely. People are good,” says one church parishioner.
Parishioners say that the statue’s return, so close to Easter Sunday, is very symbolic.
“This is a time of being forgiven and letting go of everything that you have from the past,” says parishioner Nilsa Robertson.
“I think it just shows that someone’s conscious always winds out to do the right thing,” says Rev. Santora.
The church plans to place the baby Jesus statue in the Nativity scene this coming Christmas.


More from News 12
0:51
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:38
Steady rain, chilly Sunday on Long Island; warmer start to workweek

Steady rain, chilly Sunday on Long Island; warmer start to workweek

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

0:21
State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:46
Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

0:28
Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

2:15
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:38
Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:58
Kids get up-close-and personal tour of Suffolk police headquarters during Police Week

Kids get up-close-and personal tour of Suffolk police headquarters during Police Week

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

1:56
JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant

JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant