A PRICELESS church panel that survived the 16th century Dissolution of the Monasteries has not survived a 21st century thief.

The single piece of 14th century alabaster reredos, part of six in a series, was stolen from St Peter’s Church in Drayton, near Abingdon.

Church warden Valerie Cross said: “I think we’re all in a state of shock. We’re all very upset by it.”

It is believed the “irreplaceable” stone carving which depicts the Annunciation and measures approximately 14in by 7in, was taken between the morning of Thursday, March 8 and the following afternoon.

It dates back to the late 14th century and is one of very few remaining in the country.

The panels were discovered in the church grounds in 1814.

It is believed they must have been buried to prevent them being destroyed.

Mrs Cross said: “We haven’t put a value on it, but to us it is priceless. It’s not something we can go out and replace.

“It is a one-of-a-kind and it’s totally irreplaceable. It’s part of our church.”

The church was unlocked and people were in and around the buildings at all times.

Mrs Cross said: “I know a lot of villagers like to wander in, or come in to pray in troubled times.

“What’s so sad is that now we’ve got to keep the church locked.”

Village resident and parish council chairman Daniel Schraf said: “What a sad piece of news.

“This is one of our treasures, our church.”

English Heritage yesterday reported that 70,000 listed buildings, 19 per cent of the listed buildings in England, were damaged by crime in 2011.

In Oxfordshire last year, metal thieves took lead from more than 40 churches.

Parishioners at St Nicholas Orthodox Church in Marston were so desperate in October, they started sleeping in the church after metal thieves struck on two consecutive nights.

Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee Natalie Merry said: “It is sad to see a sacred work of devotional art that has survived the Reformation and hundreds of years buried under ground being defaced by thieves like this. It is devastating for the parish.

“The English Heritage findings are not surprising, given how many thefts from churches we had last year.

“However, we are working closely with Thames Valley Police and parishes to reduce the opportunities for theft of metal from roofs.”

Thames Valley Police confirmed last night it was investigating the incident.