The night St Bride's didn't die: a service to commemorate the firebombing of St Bride's Church on 29th December, 1940. That was the description on the front cover of the service sheet for a special choral evensong in the church on 14th January, 2007.

But it turned out to be much more than a service in the traditional sense. This was an event. It was an historical chapter in this great Wren church. It was about fortitude, heroism and resolve. And in particular it was about the resolve of Londoners, who when facing human tragedy and wanton destruction brought about by a pointless war, rally around to save what they can.

News of the destruction of St Bride's spread quickly across the world, and in no time at all, messages of sympathy and support came swiftly back via the Press Association's teleprinters. The reaction from St Bride's was as swift as it was poignant. The building was a smouldering mess and the scene of utter devastation. The church's vicar Arthur Taylor, proudly and swiftly sent back this reply:

St Bride's thanks her brethren across the seas. Its walls are scarred but the living church still stands steadfast and unshaken.

But as history has shown, the tragedy of that frantic night was to have a glorious sequel as Wren's masterpiece rose again with his church restored, rededicated and re-opened in 1957. Who would have believed in the dark days of 1940, that this would happen?

This could not possibly have crossed John Colley's mind that fateful night as the young journalist witnessed what was probably the scoop of his life. Now in his 80's, he will tell you without any frills, to this day, what it was like that night almost as if it had happened last week. And how fitting for this loyal member of the congregation, to play his part in this special service this night.

Another member of the congregation who saw the devastation in Fleet Street was Brian Braithwaite. Also a member of the Guild of St Bride, like John Colley, Brian was in the packed congregation. But his is another story, about which I will write later.

Canon David Meara, the Rector, summed up the whole evening when he said that not only did we remember that fateful night, but the vision and determination of those who worked tirelessly to rebuild the church and make it a living place of worship for a new generation after the war.

Midway through the service, the rector's son, Tim Meara, showed his excellent video of the events we were now recalling. The splendid St Bride's Choir - is not the church also a centre of musical excellence? - led by Robert Jones - included a magnificent rendering of Walford Davies's setting of Psalm 121, and the charismatic anthem "Lord thou hast been our refuge" by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The organisation of the Guild of St Bride processions before and after the service, skilfully managed by Guild Marshal Terence Smith, all contributed to this moving and historical occasion.

And it fell to organist Benjamin Bayl to add the finishing touches, with his playing of William Walton's marvellously patriotic Crown Imperial.

And as the church falls silent when all is over, the words of the psalmist ring in our ears:

Be still, then, and know that I am God.