On the afternoon of 30th December 1859, large parts of England were affected by exceptional thunderstorms. Around Grantham, trees were blown down and roofs damaged. Caythorpe Church was struck by lightning twice, causing extensive damage. Around 4pm the vestry was struck. A few minutes later the whole church was hit and the top of the steeple was knocked off, falling through the roof and smashing into the nave and chancel. The rest of the tower was split apart. All the woodwork and glass was destroyed.
This storm was just two months after the ‘Royal Charter’ gale hit the Irish Sea, sinking 133 ships, badly damaging another 90 and leading to 800 deaths. This led to the development of the first shipping gale warning system.
The damage at Caythorpe prompted the installation of a lightning conductor at Brant Broughton church two months later. In August 1860 Newark Church was struck, prompting installation of a lightning conductor there too. In 1864 the spire of Trinity Church, Southwell was hit by lightning and seriously damaged.
Sir George Hussey Packe of Caythorpe Hall organised the rebuilding at Caythorpe and employed Sir George Gilbert Scott to oversee the rebuilding and expansion of the church, which was undertaken by a Mr Wilson of Grantham. Scott was a leading architect who went on to design the Royal Albert Hall, the Albert Memorial, the St Pancras Station hotel and many other famous buildings.
The church was re-opened at Easter 1861, with services taken by the Bishop of Lincoln and the Rev. Edward Trollope. Rev Trollope was a cousin of Anthony Wilson Thorold (later Bishop of Winchester) from Marston Hall. One of his 2nd cousins was the novelist, Anthony Trollope.
