A new Rector’s ego and an inexperienced builder combined to produce the ruins of St. Michael’s church in Stamford.
“Early on Friday morning the 1st Inst., nearly the whole of the roof and body of St. Michael’s church in Stamford fell into a mass of ruins. the building had been for some time under the hands of masons who were employed to effect what it was hoped would be an improvement, by widening the span of the arched and diminishing the number of pillars, so as to admit of a better view and hearing of the clergyman by the congregation. In the course of this work, it was discovered that some of the pillars which were removed had given support to the tower of the church; and so great was the alarm which arose for the safety of that part of the edifice, that the contract, which had entered into with a young builder was suspended, and more experienced architects were called in. Their attention was immediately directed to shoring up and propping the tower: and this difficult job seemed to be nearly effected, when heavy raid unfortunately set in last week, and as part of the walls of the church, being uncovered, were exposed to the influence of the wet, at the time we have mentioned the whole of the roof and part of the parapets fell in, and the church is now a heap of ruins which it is dangerous to approach. To add to the calamity, the fall and wrench of the timbers of the roof have still further weakened the supports of the tower, which has in consequence declined from the perpendicular so considerably towards the south-east, and is so extensively cracked from the bottom to the top on both the south and east sides, that it is hourly expected to come down, and it is even feared that great mischief may by its fall be done to surrounding houses. – So extensive and unforeseen a consequence of meddling with the masonry of the church has perhaps rarely before occurred. The parish, on the suggestion of the newly-presented Rector (the Rev. Chas. Swan), had at first agreed to re-pew the church with a view to increase the number of sittings; and as this improvement would necessarily interrupt the performance of divine service for some months, the further suggestion of removing at the same time some masses on antient stone-work, and giving lightness to the body of the church, was entertained, and contracts were entered into for executing the whole of the work at an expense of about 650l. According to the present aspect of things, a charge of at least three thousand pounds will be incurred in restoring the church and the tower, every stone of which, it seems, must be taken down! – Dr. Goddard, the Archdeacon of Lincoln, has twice within these ten days visited Stamford on this business; and hopes are entertained that through his representation considerable assistance will be afforded to the parish, from the funds of the society in London for building and repairing churches and chapels; but still a frightful amount of charge will remain to be defrayed by a small parish, – and upon some Dissenters who are assessed for considerable property within it the burthen will be particularly had. – The accident is one of so extraordinary a nature that we humbly think a public subscription might with propriety be solicited; and we have pleasure in stating that this view of the case is countenanced by the spontaneous liberality of two gentlemen, who have, by notes addressed to a parishioner, signified their desire to contribute 5l. each should a subscription be formed: those benevolent individuals are, the Rev. H Mortlock, of Morcott, Rutland, and W. L. Hopkinson, Esq. M.D., of St. George’s parish, Stamford.”
The Stamford Mercury, 8th June, 1832.