I am starting this page as the devastating fire on 28th July 2026 happened nearly three weeks ago – and the purpose of this page is to keep a record of what happened since and also to update those who want some more detailed information. Updates will be posted on top of the page.
Details of our Fire Recovery Fund can be found here:
Week 2 and 3: 3rd August to 18th August
Due to the church having been the first building on site and the Parish Room and Hall being added later, the supply of gas, water and electricity go into the church first and then into the other buildings – which causes quite a lot of headaches. The electric system in the vicarage is too small to be extended into the hall and every solution involves digging – and planning ahead when the church needs reconnecting again. It’s better to do a thorough job than having to do the work several times.
However, the temporary church in the Parish Hall is functioning, Heras fencing went up around the car park, hard hats become a fashion item and even though the immediate emergency is over things remain really busy. Some items have survived – and it will take a while to clean them, others need replacing and others are lost.
For a brief period of time the only safe entrance to the Parish Hall is via the fire door – with the slates piling up on the roof like pennies in a beach amusements arcade walking underneath is lethally dangerous.
It’s good to hear from the Pope
A lot of people got in touch to assure us of their support and solidarity – not just Christians and other churches but the local Imam, the Quakers, the Jain Centre and the Hari Krishna Temple. To have friends in difficult times is truly heartening. The letter from the Pope gave everybody a boost – when we most needed it.
The Day of Resurrection: Sunday 2nd August
Sunday happened as normal – and very much not as normal. We gathered in the cleaned Parish Hall and celebrated the Mass – at 10.30am and at 7pm, because that is what we do. It was most encouraging for Craig the firefighter and for Bishop Martyn to join us.
Coming Together: Saturday 1st August
For the community coming to terms with what happened and being able to do something practical Saturday was a beautiful day.
The daily Mass restarted – in the garden to begin with. About 70 people turned up – not all of them part of the regular congregation. Armed with buckets and mops and elbow grease as well as drinks and sugar buns a huge amount of cleaning and tidying up was accomplished.
Assessing the Damage and the Cause: Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th July
The priority on the day was Tony’s funeral – which happened with dignity at Saffron Hill Cemetery.
Following that the fire investigation began and various windows and doors were boarded up by Wednesday evening. The fire investigation continued for most of Thursday and on Friday some items could be removed from the church.
The night of Tuesday 28th to Wednesday 29th
The fire apparently broke out after 11pm, somewhere in the vestry. The cause is still not clear – but it is good to know that nobody did this deliberately and nobody did anything exceptionally daft. Most importantly, nobody got hurt.
The fire brigade woke me up around 11.15pm and I managed to open two doors before they opened them by force. After retrieving Tony’s body and the Blessed Sacrament, it took them all night and most of the morning to extinguish the fire. More details in the various newsletters.
Monday 7th and Tuesday 28th July – Reception of Tony’s body
Around 40 people came to the short service of Reception – the church looked absolutely magnificent as a large group had worked really hard to make everything clean and shiny on Monday 27th. Lucy did her usual magic with flowers and everybody left with a sense of pride and achievement – and in a way looking forward to give Tony the send off he asked for and deserved.
