On Monday 9 July 1984 lightning struck York Minster’s South Transept.

Fire destroyed the roof and caused the Rose Window to crack in approximately 40,000 places. Skilled craftspeople undertook a four-year restoration project, returning the transept to its former glory.

“We viewed it with mixed feelings – sadness to see it go, but relief to know that with the collapse the fire had been contained and the danger to the rest of the building had been averted.”

– Dean & Mrs Jasper

The roof fell at around 4am and the flames eased off soon after. The fire was reported as “surrounded” at 5.05am and then “under control” at 5.24am. With the fire defeated, the scale of the destruction could be assessed.

God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, when we feel overwhelmed by events that surround us, give us perspective to see beyond the immediate and trust in the possibility of renewal.

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Image reproduced from Alamy.