The scaffolding atop the North Church steeple cascaded down the side of the church and into Market Square on Friday, July 28. During a fast-moving thunderstorm just before 6 p.m., the  metal scaffolding crashed across Pleasant Street, crushing two cars. One of them was truck of Billy Rogan of Stratham, leaving him with minor cuts and scratches and a major scare but causing no further harm to people nearby. The historic steeple itself remained undamaged.

Market Square was closed off throughout the night as teams worked to clear the debris.

Lightning also struck the new visitor’s center at the nearby Strawbery Banke museum during the same storm. Firefighters quickly extinguished a small blaze at the visitor’s center, which left behind minor damage to the structure. The Church renovation project will be back on track in a few weeks, church officials estimate, with a project completion date of October or November.