Malicious Damage Act, 1861

Setting fire to a church or chapel.

1. Whosoever shall unlawfully and maliciously set fire to any church, chapel, meeting house, or other place of divine worship, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the discretion of the court, to be kept in penal servitude for life, . . . or to be imprisoned, . . . and, if a male under the age of sixteen years, with or without whipping.