Mysticism and symbols
White stone turned black
St. Stephen’s is mostly built from light lime-sand brick. Lime is the gelling agent that holds the brick together. Since lime dissolves in acid, it has been brought out of the brick by acid rain, leaving the black crust you see on the stone. Constant renovation is required for this reason: the crust is removed and the brick is reinforced and refilled or, if irreparably damaged, replaced by a pinnacle.
