Church: fire destroys steeple (1886)

Post date: Jan 20, 2012 5:53:35 PM

In early March 1886 many local newspapers ran nearly exactly the same story about the Wateringbury Church fire. The example quoted below is from the Lincolnshire Chronicle - Tuesday 2 March 1886

A fire occurred at Wateringbury Church, Kent, on Sunday, and the steeple was entirely destroyed. A fire-engine, dispatched from Maidstone, succeeded in saving the remainder of the church. One fireman was severely injured.

The local newspaper, the Maidstone and Kentish Journal, 1st March 1886 reported as follows:

FIRE AT WATERINGBURY CHURCH

Considerable excitement was caused in the village of Wateringbury on Sunday morning last by the announcement that the spire of the village church was on fire. Information received at Maidstone by the Kent Fire Office about nine o'clock, and the engine under the command of Captain Gates , arrived on scene within half-an-hour of the time of forwarding a telegram concerning the occurrence. The spire which was of wood burnt rapidly, and was destroyed nearly to the level of the bells. The floor under the bells was also injured. An accident occurred to one of the firemen while removing the charred timbers at the top ; he fell down on the bells, and was severely shaken although no bones were broken. The brigade succeeded in extinguishing the flames and preventing further damage ; and returned to Maidstone between three and four o'clock in the afternoon. The church is a very old one, and the body of the sacred edifice has been recently restored ; and it is to be regretted that the ancient structure should have been in any way injured. The conflagration is supposed to have originated through excessive heating. Many persons from Maidstone visited the spot during the day. The damage occasioned is considerable.

The fact that the fireman was not severely injured, as reported locally rather than the national story has been confirmed by the volunteer archivist of the Kent Fire Brigade.

The telegram (see file attached) held by the Kent Fire Brigade archives says simply "Wateringbury Church on fire. Send engine immediately". The fire brigade's bill came to £15 10s and 8 d in total which included £6 2s and 6d for 49 pumpers at 2s 6d each (list attached).

The Parish magazine of March 1886 reported:

The fire which took place at the Church on the morning of Sunday, February 28th, is we are sure, an event of sincere regret to all our fellow parishioners. It is at the same time a matter for congratulation that the spire and tower are the only part injured, and that the newly restored nave and chancel were untouched. Divine Service will be held in the Church as usual on Sunday, March 7th.

In September 1886 the Parish magazine reported that:

The rebuilding of the Church Spire has been commenced, and will be completed as quickly as possible. The Spire is to be covered with oak shingling on three sides, and with Westmoreland slates on the fourth (the side near the flue). It will be eight feet higher than it was before, the extra height taking off the rather heavy appearance which it hitherto presented. The tenor bell has been taken away to be recast by Messrs. Warner and Sons, it being cracked in two places, and a good deal of the wood work connected with the ringing of the bells will have to be renewed.

In January 1887 the Parish magazine reported that

The past year will be memorable for the shock which was given to us all on the morning of Sunday the 28th February,when our Church Spire was destroyed by fire, but the end of the year has seen it rebuilt, to last we trust for many years. The last repair to the Spire of any extent appears to have been in 1745, when it was probably re-shingled. The following is an extract from an account of of the Church written in 1781 -'The Steeple hath three bells in it and a pretty high Spire which cost the Parish much to repair in 1745'. The deficiency on the Church Alteration Fund has been supplied during the year, but a small balance of debt will probably be found in the account of the New Spire, the Insurance money not being sufficient to pay all expenses.

The tower of the church is, along with the chancel, an old part of the current church building (probably 14th century). The spire is a wooden construct, covered with cedar 'shingles' (which incidentally will soon need renewal) on top of the stone tower .

For other fires in Wateringbury see Child left home alone dies; suspected arson at Pelican farm (1895); hopping 1855 fire kills baby;

Leney hops destroyed by fire (1883); disastrous fire at Wateringbury Hall