Altar of Cathedral of Christ the King church in Ballarat set on fire leaving $75k bill

A Victorian man has been arrested less than 24 hours after a regional church was set alight in a brazen attack.

CCTV from inside the Cathedral of Christ the King church in Ballarat captured a male appearing to pour accelerant from a red jerry can before igniting furniture shortly after 3pm on Thursday.

According to Victoria Police, the fire was quickly extinguished by church staff, with police estimating the damage bill at $75,000.

“The incident is not believed to be religiously motivated,” a spokesman said.

The man allegedly smashed a window while leaving, with the fire damaging a lectern, altar and other antique furniture.

Detectives in the regional city arrested a 53-year-old Ballarat man on Bell St in Reden the following day, charging him with arson, criminal damage, assault and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Ballarat CIU Detective Sergeant Glen Melder said police understood a church is a “safe space for many”, working efficiently to make an arrest.

In a statement shared to social media on Friday, the Anglican Diocese of Ballarat urged adherents to “pray for the person who lit the fire”.

“Due to a fire in the Cathedral yesterday, there won’t be a Midday Eucharist today,” the Diocese said.

“This weekend the Cathedral’s Sunday services will be held in the Synod Hall just so they can clean up properly and make the building safe for the general public.

Safe Church Training on Saturday will still proceed as planned.

“Please note, no-one was hurt and thanks to the quick actions of the Registrar the fire was extinguished promptly.

“Please pray for the person who lit the fire that they may receive the help they need.”

The man accused of causing the fire has been bailed to return before the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on November 17.