A £10,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the arsonist who destroyed a Brighton church.
The fire at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in Carlton Hill spread quickly and completely gutted the interior of the building.
The cost of the damage has been estimated at more than £500,000.
Since the fire, on Sunday 4 July, the congregation has been using Saint Michael and All Angels Church in St Michael’s Place for services.
Stephen Papadopoulos, chairman of the Greek Orthodox Church Committee, said: “Saint Michael’s has been absolutely fantastic in offering us their space to use but it is not the same as having your own church.
“Some members of the congregation have been scared to go to church since the fire and others have had to hold weddings, christenings and funerals in other churches, including my daughter who was due to get married shortly after the fire.”
The money for the £10,000 reward has been collected together by donations from members of the public.
Detective Sergeant Colin Jaques said: “The fire has had a significant effect on the church congregation, including the children who used an area of the church as a classroom.
“A full investigation is under way and detectives have been making extensive inquiries and forensic examinations of the building have taken place.
“I am still eager to trace the owner of a blue Renault Scenic that was seen in the church car park between 2.20pm and 2.35pm just before the fire was reported so that they can be eliminated from the inquiry.”
The car owner and anyone with information can contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
