07-10-2024 · 5 min read
The Great Fire of 1694 and Its Legacy on St Mary's Tower
The tower that dominates the Warwick skyline today owes its existence to one of the most catastrophic events in the town's history. On the 5th of September 1694, a fire broke out in a house near the centre of Warwick and, driven by strong winds, quickly spread through the tightly packed medieval streets. By the time the flames were brought under control, much of the town centre had been reduced to ashes, including significant portions of the Collegiate Church of St Mary.
The medieval tower, which had stood for several centuries, was completely destroyed along with the nave and much of the church's interior. The devastation was immense, not only for the church but for the entire community. Hundreds of properties were lost, and Warwick faced the enormous challenge of rebuilding virtually from scratch.
Rebuilding from the Ruins
The reconstruction of St Mary's began relatively quickly, driven by the determination of the local community and supported by funds collected across the country. The task of designing the new tower fell to William Wilson, a local architect and mason appointed by Crown Commissioners to oversee the rebuilding. Wilson produced a design that was Gothic in character, intended to harmonise with the surviving medieval portions of the church, particularly the Beauchamp Chapel and the chancel, which had escaped the worst of the fire.
The new tower was completed by 1704, rising over 130 feet above the town. Architectural historian Sir John Summerson later described the design as "remarkable for its success as for its independence in style from other seventeenth-century English Gothic." The tower incorporated elements that referenced the medieval tradition while also reflecting the building practices and aesthetics of its own era. Some historical accounts suggest that Sir Christopher Wren may have contributed to the design, though this claim remains a matter of scholarly debate.
A Tower Built to Last
The stonework used in the rebuilding was sourced from local quarries, chosen for its durability and compatibility with the surviving medieval sections of the church. The masons who carried out the work employed techniques that had been refined over centuries, creating mortar joints designed to flex slightly with the building's natural movement rather than cracking under stress.
For more than three hundred years, these materials and methods served the tower well. However, no building material lasts indefinitely. The gradual erosion of mortar, the penetration of rainwater, and the slow breakdown of individual stones are natural processes that affect every historic structure. By the early 21st century, these processes had reached a point where intervention became necessary to prevent further deterioration and potential danger to the public.
Lessons from the Past
The story of the Great Fire and the subsequent rebuilding carries a powerful message for the present day. The people of 18th-century Warwick faced a challenge that must have seemed overwhelming, yet they responded with determination and generosity, creating a tower that has served the town for over three centuries. Campaign 2023 represents a continuation of that tradition, a community coming together to ensure that the landmark created by their predecessors endures for centuries more.
The fire also serves as a reminder of the fragility of heritage. Buildings that seem permanent and unchanging are, in fact, constantly subject to the forces of weather, time, and human activity. Only through sustained care and periodic restoration can they be preserved for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.