The Fire, 1830

A fire seriously damaged the church on Boxing Day in 1830. The interior and structure of the church was seriously affected and many of the early records were destroyed or damaged. Despite the damage a full restoration of the building was completed. The photograph below probably taken c.1876 shows the interior just prior to the re-ordering in 1881. The ceiling can just be glimpsed and the small rounded apse is clearly shown, as are the box pews, and the original position of several of the large and important monuments.

C.1876 photo of the interior & apse. (A.R. Martin Collection Lewisham Local Studies Library)