3-021-337 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Ruins of the tower of St. Issey Church, Cornwall, 1869. 'Among the disasters caused by the late heavy rains was the fall of the tower of St. Issey Church. The inhabitants of the little village in the vicinity of the church were roused by the sound of a loud crash, which some mistook for thunder, on Monday, Feb. 1, between five and six o'clock in the morning, the massive and lofty tower having suddenly subsided from near the foundations - one angle, with its surmounting pinnacle, being all that is left standing. The tower, in its descent, carried with it a portion of the nave and the whole of the gallery, burying the organ in the ruins, the violence of the concussion being so great that the glass of several windows was blown out. It was a most fortunate circumstance that the fall did not take place a few hours earlier, when the parishioners were assembled for public worship on the Sunday evening. [The church] was noted for its peal of five bells, and the ringers celebrated for their skill, some of them having obtained many prizes in public competition. The parishioners have to deplore the loss of the tenor bell, which was broken to pieces...The tower, being situated on elevated land..., was a landmark for ships at sea. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.