WARWICK — A bookkeeper for St. Kevin’s parish has been accused of stealing more than $90,000 from church and school accounts, allegedly to pay off a credit card she used to purchase personal items, authorities said yesterday.

Elaine T. Walmsley, 61, of 263 Sandy Lane — a salaried parish employee — was arrested Thursday morning at the church rectory on a felony charge of embezzlement, said state Trooper Lt. David S. Neill. She was arraigned before Judge Mary McCaffrey later that day and released on $20,000 personal recognizance. Walmsley is due back in court Nov. 17.

The charge comes after a two-month investigation by the state police into a complaint filed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence in August, following an audit of the parish and school accounts. The arrest marks the third time this year that state police charged an employee of a church with theft.

Walmsley allegedly wrote checks from the parish and school’s checking accounts to pay more than $69,000 in purchases charged to her American Express credit card over a five-year period that began in 2003. Further review of the credit card statements showed accounts payable to Walmsley’s benefit in excess of $20,000.

Authorities say Walmsley used her credit card for everyday things, such as gasoline, restaurants, groceries and shopping.

“Anything she used her American Express card for,” Neill said. “She would write church checks to her American Express account.”

Reached at her home yesterday, Walmsley, employed full-time since 2002 said, “I made big mistake, that’s all I have to say. You can’t believe how sorry I am. It’s beyond sorry,” she said. Walmsley lives with her husband. Diocesan officials did not disclose how much Walmsley earns a year.

The charge carries a 20-year prison term and/or a fine not more than three times what was taken, which would be about $270,000, Neill said.

Michael K Guilfoyle, a diocesan spokesman issued this statement:

“While news of this arrest of a parish lay employee is unfortunate, the Diocese … takes such incidents seriously. The parish is hopeful that a significant portion of the stolen funds may be recovered through insurance coverage and restitution.”

The Rev. David Green sent home a letter yesterday to parents of children who attend the school. The school, at Cathedral Road, has an enrollment of 145 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Guilfoyle said the pastor will address the parish during weekend Masses.

“We believe that this was a highly sophisticated and elaborate effort to divert parish funds for personal use. Sadly, this effort was rather successful for a period of time,” Green said in his letter. “Not only has this individual stolen [our] financial resources but also our trust. I have experienced an array of emotions over these past few weeks from disappointment to sadness and even anger.”

lsparks@projo.com