FIRE has devastated an historic church in Ropley – but its vicar has vowed to rebuild. Reverend Royston Such, the vicar of St Peter's Church, said after Thursday's blaze ripped through the 800-year-old church: "We may have tragically lost our church building but the real value of a church is its congregation and community and these, thank God, are all safe." The devastating fire left a burned-out shell alongside the remains of the 14th Century, timber-framed bell tower. For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.