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Before the fire, Maderak had security cameras installed after a spate of vandalism at the church. The surveillance video showed a man at the window to the sacristy “committing the crime,” he said. But Maderak said investigators asked him not to publicly reveal details from the video, so he wouldn’t say how exactly the man started the fire.

Church services for Easter Sunday were cancelled. While the fire didn’t spread beyond the sacristy, there was significant smoke damage throughout the rest of the church. Neil MacCarthy, a spokesman with the Archdiocese of Toronto, said estimates for repairs are between $50,000 and $100,000. The church is expected to reopen for mass next weekend.

Police on Sunday released stills from the surveillance footage showing a bald, white male who was later identified as Porlier. He is charged with arson and mischief over $5,000.

Maderak said Porlier went to the elementary school adjacent the church. Porlier’s family are still parishioners, he said.

Police wouldn’t say why the church was targeted.

“Until I talk to (the suspect) or someone has a debriefing with him, we’re not going to know,” Det. Gilbert told the National Post.

Mayor John Tory visited the church on Monday afternoon as a show of “solidarity with the people in this parish,” CP24 reported.

“When this kind of thing happens, it cuts to the heart of the community,” he said.

Toronto Police officers were planning to transfer Porlier to the city on Monday. Det. Gilbert said the suspect should appear in court Tuesday.