RANTOUL, Kan. -- Church members in a small Kansas town are dealing with money scandal.

One of the church trustees at the Rantoul Community Presbyterian Church in Franklin County, a man residents said was the one in charge of the financial records, is suspected of embezzling more than $35,000 over several years, church members said.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Department confirmed that they are actively investigating the alleged theft reported last week.

Rantoul's mayor, Don Covington, said that despite the crippling loss, he and the other members vow to keep the church afloat.

"It's a tragedy. I pray for the church. I pray for the guy that done it. What do you do?" Covington said.

KCTV5 News reporter Shaun Broyls went to the home of the alleged thief, but no one answered the door.

There have been no arrests. The sheriff's office would not comment on details of the case.