*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Lincolnshire church tower’s sudden collapse investigated

24 January 2020

swns

An aerial view of the church, taken on Monday, where the tower lies in rubble on the ground

An aerial view of the church, taken on Monday, where the tower lies in rubble on the ground

THE tower of St John the Baptist, High Toynton, in the diocese of Lincoln, collapsed suddenly in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police have confirmed that no one was hurt.

The Rector of High Toynton, Canon Charles Patrick, said: “Its obviously a great shock to see the devastation and a great gaping hole. . . . The fire service did a thorough job and brought in dogs, just to ensure nobody was found.

“It’s an old building, and all old buildings need maintenance: it is a ‘Forth Bridge job’: it always needs something doing.”

It was “merciful” that no one had been inside the building when it collapsed, he said.

Investigations have begun into the cause of the collapse. A structural engineer was due to visit the church on Monday, but some residents believe that the months of heavy rain may be to blame.

The church’s insurers had been informed of the collapse, Canon Patrick said, and the fallen masonry in the churchyard had been cordoned off.

The exact repair cost is not yet known, but residents in the village — which lies in the Lincolnshire Wolds near the town of Horncastle, and has 133 residents — have already set up an initial appeal for £100,000 to restore the church.

swnsSt John the Baptist, High Toynton, in Lincolnshire, before the collapse of its tower

Before its collapse, the church tower was known for an unusual octagonal upper storey and short spire. Dedicated in honour of St John the Baptist, the church was rebuilt by Ewan Christian in 1872, and replaced the original 13th-century building.

There are a variety of stones used in the build, although it is primarily greenstone. There is also a piece of engraved stone that had been reused near the footings of the tower.

A resident of High Toynton described the collapse of the tower as a “disaster for the village”.

Another resident said that it looked as though the historic church had been “hit by an earthquake”.

Lincolnshire Police has said that officers will now carry out regular checks on the site.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

Inspiration: The Influences That Have Shaped My Life

September - November 2024

St Martin in the Fields Autumn Lecture Series 2024

tickets available

 

Can a ‘Good Death‘ be Assisted?

28 November 2024

A webinar in collaboration with Modern Church

tickets available

 

Through Darkness To Light: Advent Journeys

30 November 2024

tickets available

 

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)