Holy Trinity Church, Christchurch - Destroyed By Fire 1949
Photo reference number: 1265
Photo and report from the South Wales Argus Monday November 7th 1949:
"HISTORIC GWENT CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE
CHRISTCHURCH BLAZE DESTROYED MANY ANCIENT RECORDS
Damage estimated at £30,000 was done during the week-end by Newport's most disastrous fire for many years, resulting in the destruction of Holy Trinity the Parish Church of Christchurch, which dates back to pre-Norman times and is on the site of a Saxon worshipping place.
This was an unusual fire in that few people were drawn to the scene, despite the fact that Holy Trinity tower - still intact - is a famous landmark on the high hill overlooking Caerleon and the Usk.
Mystery surrounds the cause, after several theories have been eliminated one by one by police and firemen. Recently the roof was thoroughly repaired, and the fact that Saturday was Guy Fawkes Night - when fireworks were exploding all through the evening - is regarded as merely a coincidence...
