BEIJING -- A human rights center said armed police broke up Christmas Mass at an underground Catholic church in eastern China, arresting the priest, demolishing a makeshift pulpit and scattering two thousand worshippers.

Police had previously torn down the church, in a family courtyard, four years ago, but parishioners had begun rebuilding it in defiance of Chinese law.

The Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said police with guns came and tore down the stage, seats and entrance gate that the group had erected for the Christmas Eve service.

China only allows religious activity in government-controlled churches, temples and mosques, but millions belong to unauthorized “house churches.''