Religious statues were smashed, the church altar thrown over, windows broken, blackboards and computer screens spray-painted with obscenities and a fire extinguisher sprayed throughout the buildings.

The rampage took place Friday night or early Saturday at the St Mary’s Parish Centre and three classrooms of the Blessed Mary Mackillop Colleges in Urana Street.

An unknown quantity of items were also stolen during the attack.

Parish priest Father Peter Murphy said the buildings had been “pillaged and ransacked”, leaving a damage bill in, at least, the thousands and devastating the church community.

“They weren’t just thieves they were classic vandals,” he said.

“They did everything, there wasn’t anything that wasn’t messed up or destroyed.

“Every shelf had to be pulled down, not just graffiti on the blackboards but obscenities, they desecrated the altar and broke statues.

“If they were after money, that’s one thing, but to wreck and destroy a church building and kids’ classrooms and their toys and books is pretty sad.

“It was an idiotic, rampant act of senseless vandalism.”

Forensic investigators scoured the buildings on Saturday but police have not yet laid any charges.

But Albury police are hopeful of making a breakthrough.

“We suspect adolescents, more than one, and we’ve been able to gather some forensic evidence,” investigating officer Sen-Constable Bill Gray said.

Father Murphy expressed pity and sadness for the offenders.

“I feel pity for them,” he said.

“I don’t know how old they are, but they were old enough to write pretty high up on the blackboard.”