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In 1862 it was said that the Parish Church of Saint Andrews Isleham had been considered to be in a insecure state for some time, therefore plans and specifications for its restoration were obtained from an eminent London architect, and Mr Thomas Brown of Isleham became the contactor, under Mr William Brinkley of London, a native of Woolpit Suffolk who acted as Clerk of the works. The Tower was considered to be the most dangerous part of the 14th Century Church,  Two hours before the Tower fell, Mr Brinkley in a conversation gave his opinion that it had at some time or other, been struck by lightning, an inspection of the remains of the Tower afterwards proved Mr Brinkley right, that it had at some time been struck by lightning. Cowell and Hook, contractors of Soham had prepared an estimate for the restoration of the Church, but on seeing the dangers involved in the repair work on the Tower, wisely didn't send it in.
Every precaution had been taken by Mr Brown, direct shores had been placed inside and out, and also double raking shores, framed and bolted together and of immense proportions, to a height of 60 feet, which at the time appeared sufficient, even if the lower part of the Tower did give way, it was thought it would hold the Bells and frame together with the upper part of the Tower in their proper position, just before the Tower collapsed one of the workmen on the scaffolding saw a mullion fall from the west window, and gave the alarm to everyone else, who all ran and managed to escape with their lives with no bad injuries to anyone. Remarkably none of the Bells were broken, it was said that the Steeple appeared to have sunk down on its own site.