Attempted arson at historic Hamilton church leads to arrest

A 49-year-old man is facing several charges after local police found flammable materials and evidence of arson at a historic downtown Hamilton church.

Fire and police officials responded to St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church at 70 James St. South on Dec. 31, 2022, after the fire alarm was triggered at around 4:15 p.m.

Police say an investigation found “incendiary material and evidence of an arson” at the 193-year-old church.

Photo credit: Historic Hamilton

Leslie Cleave of no fixed address is charged with arson — disregard for human life, possession of incendiary material, and failure to comply with probation and release order.

Incendiary material is often referred to by law officials when describing a device or an attack designed to cause a fire.