St Andrew’s Jarrom Street Church Reopens After Devastating Fire
(Photo: St Andrew’s Jarrom Street)
St Andrew’s Jarrom Street Church in Leicester has resumed its services after a catastrophic fire caused severe damage to the historic building on 28 July. Thankfully, the incident resulted in no casualties or injuries.
Firefighters successfully salvaged the remains of a beloved church warden, Tony Simons, whose funeral was scheduled at the church. Simons had been a part of the church community for an impressive 72 years.
The 160-year-old church, a Grade II listed building designed by the renowned Sir George Gilbert Scott, suffered considerable damage. While the iconic spire and rose window were mostly spared, the roof bore the brunt of the fire.
The Victorian Society expressed its dismay over the incident, emphasizing the historical significance of the church’s design.
On the night of the fire, more than 40 firefighters from seven stations were dispatched to tackle the blaze, which is suspected to have started accidentally.
Leicester Fire and Rescue Service advised heightened caution amid the ongoing heatwave, which increases the risk of fires spreading rapidly due to dry conditions.
The church extended gratitude to the firefighters for their bravery, particularly in retrieving the body of Tony Simons. A statement from the church quoted Simons, saying, “Keep the faith. Save the parish.”
The statement continued, “We are greatly blessed that our church building has been home to a large, growing and diverse congregation, training eight organ scholars, hosting other Christian communities, and supporting the whole parish with spaces for music, art, lectures, and community events.”
Church pastor Rev Johannes Arens reflected on the community’s resilience: “The whole community is in shock, but we are discovering our own ‘Blitz Spirit’.”
He added, “We will rebuild our beautiful church. I don’t yet know what funds we will need, but I am incredibly thankful to all those who are already coming forward to offer their help, prayers and donations.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
