Blitzed Coventry Rises again What once were beautiful stained glass windows, are now only holes in the fire-swept pink sandstone walls of ST. Michael's Cathedral, which held a deep place in the affections of Coventry folk. The Very Reverend R.T Howard, provost of the Cathedral, and the firewatchers tried in vain to extinguish incendiaries on the roof. Firemen came to their aid but there were so many fires in the City that the water supply became exhausted, and there was nothing to do except watch the 14th century structure burn. Two charred beams were errected in the form of a cross on the stone foundation of the high altar in the sanctuary.