AN arson attack on Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Caloundra has left the parish with a damage bill of about $400,000.
The blaze started early on September 18 following a break-in. Two separate fires were lit.
Parish priest Fr John Dobson said one fire was started under the tabernacle and a second on the other side of the sanctuary.
He said the two fires had been burning for some time before someone noticed them and the fire brigade was called at 5.38am.
Fr Dobson said the church sustained structural damage amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Fr Dobson said the parish had hired a marquee which had been erected at the side of the parish centre.
Fr Dobson said at this stage the rebuilding was expected to take between two to three months and a lot would depend on an appeal for the shortfall, including asking for support from holidaymakers who visit each year.
