A rather lengthy description of the thunder and lightning pounding Stamford one summer Sunday, but it contains an interesting appreciation of the architecture of St. Mary’s church.
“A terrible thunderstorm which broke over Stamford on Sunday evening caused the most intense alarm throughout the town. Ever since the previous Thursday, when there was a heavy rain which lasted from early morning to midnight, the atmosphere appeared to have been charged with electricity, and in the intervals of rain the heat was oppressive. The sun had shone out brilliantly on Sunday morning and afternoon; but about 1/2 past 6 dense thunder clouds rose up from the south-west, and shortly after vivid flashes of lightning were followed by loud peals of thunder. For nearly a quarter of an hour there had been a cessation, and it was hoped the storm had passed, when at about 1/2 past 7 an awful flash of lightning, which illuminated every room in every house in the town was instantaneously accompanied by a thunder clap that startled the bravest, and conjured up fears for the safety of surrounding buildings. The lightning struck the tower and spire of St. Mary’s church, and seemed to fill the body of the edifice with one sheet of flame. Divine service was proceeding, and there was a large congregation, most of whom were filled with terror; many ladies rushed frantically and screaming from the pews, others fainted, and a scene of panic and alarming confusion prevailed. The preacher (the Rev. F. B. Paul, nephew of the Rector) rushed down from the pulpit, and the Ven. Archdeacon Paul from the reading desk, and endeavoured to prevail upon the congregation to keep their seats. Viscount Cranborne and the Re. Hon. Sir Stafford Northcote, who were among the worshippers, also assisted in the endeavour to calm the fear which prevailed. Dr. Newman, who was likewise present, rendered his aid to restore the ladies who had fainted. When order was somewhat re-established, the congregation ruched through the rain to seek shelter at their homes and elsewhere. Almost as much excitement prevailed in St. Michael’s church, where, such was the alarm, the service could not be proceeded with. The lightning appears to have struck St. Mary’s spire against the upper north-west window, which is about 30 feet from the apex, stripping off the coping and crockets on one side, which fell which a crash into the street: it also knocked off a piece of the stone-work of the upper north window, and forced out a stone of the arch of the centre lancet light in the west front of the tower, just under the clock. The wire connecting the clock work with the striking hammer was broken; and a large block of stone descended from the north-west window to the bell-chamber, where it rested on one of the cross-beams. The stone work around the window is much loosened; but in other respects the spire is not damaged. It would have have (sic) been a source of regret to all archaeologists if this beautiful tower and spire had been seriously injured: they are remarkably fine examples of mediaeval architecture. The tower is Early English, and its various stages are enriched with clank arcades having lancet and trefoil heads, triplets of lancets, quatrefoils in circles, Runic work in a circle, and a beautiful western doorway. The octagonal broach spire is Decorated, a style of architecture that succeeded the Early English: its details are very rich. each face being pierced with windows of two lights, under exquisitely-wrought canopies, and statues of saints with their emblems at the angles. The composition has been considered worthy of being engraved for a costly illustrated work, entitled ‘The Towers and Spires of England and Wales:’ it invariably elicited the admiration of Sir Walter Scott when travelling between Scotland and London, his veneration for it being such that he uncovered his head whenever he approached it. The spire was also struck by lightning on the 14th June, 1842, which necessitated the re-building of it from just above the upper windows.”
The Stamford Mercury, 14th July, 1865.