ALBANY, N.Y. -- Copper is known to last the longest. And if you look up at the Emmaus United Methodist Church you'll see shiny new copper edges on a recently renovated roof. New copper pipes and gutters were also added; something the church has been saving up for.

“The price of copper guttering, and downspouts was part of what was expensive. But we wanted to do it right,” said church member Russ Williams.

And as kids head inside they probably won't see what's missing from the nearly 100-year-old church on West Laurence Street.

Water drips where the outlines of pilfered pipes mark the church's walls. Police and church leaders say thieves hit the church twice in about a month stealing an entire down spout on one side while cutting another pipe in half.

This is just the latest case of criminals making off with metal. Last summer, Colonie police catch two men with dozens of catalytic converters from a local car dealer.

And Coeymans police nab two men who stole metal telephone lines. And while this case isn't as costly, it’s money that the church doesn't have.

“That was money that was hard to come by. You are trying to motivate to give money in several different directions,”said Williams.

Williams said its money directed towards after school education programs and help for African refugees. Williams said new gutters will go in but this time they'll be aluminum.