A southern Ontario congregation has honoured the memory of four firefighters who died battling a blaze at the namesake of their church in England during the Second World War.

On April 16-17, 1941, Christ Church in Westminster, London, was destroyed during the German bombardment called the Blitz.

Since 1946 on the nave wall of a church of the same name, Christ Church, in Meaford, Ont., there has been a section of a pew from the rubble of the London church. The pew -- about 90 by 60 cm -- still carries black scorch marks.

It was only recently that members of the congregation learned that four firefighters had given their lives relative to the origin of the burnt pew. The church commissioned a plaque to bear the names of the firefighters. 

On Oct. 17, the congregation remembered the firefighters at a special service and dedicated the plaque. A local firefighter lit a candle of remembrance and a bagpiper sounded the lament.