Watch: Shock and disgust as skip lorry destroys 175-year-old church wall and drives off
A distraught vicar is appealing for information to find the lorry driver who ploughed into his church's 175-year-old wall.
Reverend Mark Wilson was shocked to see the wall destroyed at the front of St James Church, Hilltop, and no details of the driver who caused the damage have been left.
The wall's corner pillar was 50 metres down the road and Rev Wilson faced the prospect of rebuilding it using much-needed church funds.
He told the Express & Star: "We are the oldest building in Hilltop because everything has been knocked down and rebuilt.
"This is a 175-year-old wall that has been destroyed without any thought of the consequences."
After posting a plea for information on Facebook one of the church's neighbours posted door bell camera footage of the crash.
A skip lorry can be seen veering off the road and smashing into the wall with such force its wheels left the road. The driver then drives away without any regard for the damage they caused.
He said: "They left no note, all they left was a mess. This is sad for us as we try and love our community as we try and do our best for the community in Hilltop and West Bromwich.
"It is vandalism of a wall which has stood here for over 175 years!"
Parishioners offered their support to the church and shared information to catch the culprit.
Jan Simkiss said: "That's such a shame why can't people do the right thing and help you out.
Pamela Simms said: "That is so sad. Hoping someone contacts you regarding this issue. Holding you and church members in prayer."
There were even offers to help rebuild the wall, and West Bromwich West MP Shaun Bailey also offered his help to the church.
The MP said: "If you know anything or if it was you, please do come forward.
"Mark and everyone St James Church do amazing work in our local community and the last thing they deserve is this."
The crash happened in one of the most important weeks of the church's year, Easter week. However, despite the damage the church is still holding a full programme of events this weekend with services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and culminating in celebrations at 9.15am and 10.45am on Easter Sunday.
The church is very active in the community, holding support groups, running a youth club and have a long running Scout group.
Rev Wilson is also vicar at St Paul's Church, Golds Hill, in March 2020 St James and St Paul's became one parish.
St James Church has been at the centre of the Hill Top community since the 1830s to cater for the influx of workers moving to the area, many employed in local coal mines.
The old church was replaced by a new building in the early 1990s but the wall remained.