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Yesterday morning directly after midnight a fire that wholly destroyed the Church of St. Mary ’s West Langdon was discovered. The church, which stands on the eminence near the village and consists simply of a nave with a small vestry attached, was in ruins till 1869 when it was re-built. During the present summer the church was again restored by Mr. W. H. Grigg of Dover and with the exception of the four walls was entirely re-built. It was re-opened on July 29^th by the Bishop of Dover. The whole of the Church was at the time completely re-furnished and a fine large ventilating stove installed. 

This appears to have given some trouble as the iron pipe, which passes through the wall did not draw properly. An additional length was put in on Wednesday and during the morning a large fire was lighted to test it. The effect was that the pipe had come so hot on the outside of the building it was possible to light paper on it. The churchwarden Mr. Hampshire was present and saw that the fire in the stove had been completely extinguished.

Adjoining the church is Church Farm in the occupation of Mr. Cutting. He was however nothing to do with the care of the church.  About 8 o’clock he went out to see his horses and noticed a light in the Belfry window. He thought someone was in the church and took no notice. At midnight Mr.& Mrs. Cutting were awakened by a glare and rushing to the window saw the whole church in flames. They promptly summoned Mr. Hampshire but nothing could be done as there was no water in the vicinity and the church practically destroyed, all the seats and roof had been burnt up and the roof a roaring mass of flames.

The Rev. T. J. Holt the Vicar of Waldershare who is also Vicar of West Langdon was sent for. The only part of the building not on fire was the small vestry and those present obtained water from a well and partially saved it.  The roof of the church soon fell in and the fire gradually burnt itself out and by daylight was practically extinguished. The whole of the contents have been destroyed and only the walls remain, and they are likely to fall at any time. The church ornaments, which were presented by Georgina , Countess of Guilford, were in a safe together with the ancient registers. This cannot be opened at present so their condition is not known. The origin of the fire was undoubtedly due to the stovepipe. Where this pipe passes through the wall there were pieces of wood embedded in the walls on each side of the pipe, and these probably had became ignited and communicating with the wooden fittings of the interior caused the fire to spread to the seats. The building was insured.(1906)