Struck by lightning 1919
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The tower of St Luke's was struck by lightning on 24 December 1919. This photograph is one of a series documenting the damage, and shows the tower with its miniature spire at the southeast corner missing. This spirelet was considerably larger and taller than the pinnacles at the other corners as it gave access to the roof from the stair turret.
Here we see the damage to the slate roof of the nave below (and also to the south aisle, more fully detailed in another photograph in the series), caused by falling debris. The tower clock shows the time as a quarter to four, but the shadows falling across the west windows indicate this photograph was taken earlier in the afternoon. One might conjecture the clock stopped at the time of the event... More research is required to resolve this point.
The series of pictures we have may not be complete but it does provide a remarkable insight into this event. Two people were in the church at the time and had a narrow escape.
The photograph was taken by William Albert Winchester. Visit our notes for more information about this photographer and postcard publisher, and their work in Brislington.
Period: Modern
Exhibit contributed by Andrew Palmer
Text written by Ken Taylor (2023)
Photographer: William Albert Winchester
Acquisition number: 231216b1