14/09/2026
A wonderful church opposite Sir Robert Peel Leicester devastated by fire but rising again from the ashes
People have gathered to show their support for a "one of a kind" Leicester church after it was badly burnt in a devastating fire.
Communities gathered at St Andrew's church, in Jarrom Street, on Saturday, September 12, for the Ride & Stride and Heritage Open Day event taking place in the city centre.
The church, which is more than 150 years old, was badly damaged after a blaze broke out inside on Tuesday, July 28.
Nine fire engines and around 60 firefighters were sent by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) to tackle the blaze, which severely damaged the church's roof.
Inside the building at the time was the coffin of church warden Tony Simons, which had been placed at St Andrews ahead of his funeral service scheduled for Wednesday, July 29. The blaze led to firefighters carrying out a "sensitive" rescue of the coffin as the building burned around them.
In a show of support for the church, two days after the fire, on Thursday, July 30, more than 70 residents gathered in the church's garden. They helped wash the smoke from the church's crockery, which Parish Priest Johannes Arens said showed "the amazing spirit of Leicester".
Those who gathered at the church on Saturday, September 12, spoke about the importance of St Andrew's church in the surrounding community.
Colin Shufflebotham, 60, said: "St Andrews is very important for the area, like the local pub, the community revolves around it.
"After the devastating fire, everyone did their best to reopen and clean up the church, which is vital because the community needs to see the church as a stable thing. Something which will never go away.
"I’ve been coming here since 2017, so I’m glad to hear work is ongoing to bring the church back."
During the event, St Andrew's was described as being "one of a kind", due to its diverse congregation and accepting nature.
Barry Naylor, 76, said: "I’ve been to many different churches in the past 50 years, but for me this church stands out more than any, spiritually and socially. It’s a wonderful place to be and truly one of a kind.
"Other churches, sometimes you get the issue of not feeling like you fit in, unless you are part of a certain clique, but you do not experience that with this diverse congregation."
St Andrew's treasurer, Mrs Elizabeth Amias, recalled the moment she heard about the fire while she was on holiday in Greece.
The 51-year-old said: "It was right before we were due to travel back. Our bags were packed and ready when I got the phone call saying there was a fire at the church.
"I just couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a nightmare and that I was dreaming.
"Of course, the roof was burnt during the incident, but because of the firefighters' amazing work, we still have our church."
Mrs Amias touched upon the church's importance, especially with the fact that it is located next to Leicester Royal Infirmary.
She said: "We get a lot of students and young people who like to visit, people come here in celebratory moments, but also in moments of grief.
"Being positioned right next to the hospital means we get a lot of people visiting with heavy hearts, and that is why this is such an important place in Leicester.
"It is connected to high and low points of the community that have been visiting for decades."
Throughout the event, the church emphasised that, although it is inaccessible due to the fire damage, it is very much still "open for business" during its rebuild.
