This
category is for Many buildings were destroyed or damaged by bombing in
World War II. Where these were churches, particularly after fires started by
incendiary bombs, the stone-built walls of the building often survived the fire almost intact while the roof structure was destroyed. Less substantial, steel or timber framed buildings collapsed completely.
Although most such ruins were cleared away in the following years, many of these churches have been preserved as memorials. Some, such as
St Luke's, have remained as empty shells. Others, such as
Coventry Cathedral and
Kaiser Wilhelm, Berlin have formed the basis for a new church in a modern reconstruction around the original ruin.