The Spire is a fourteenth century English cathedral town. The dean of the cathedral, Dean Jocelin, has a great dream of doing a wonderful thing for God. Surely if he and the congregation can do this great thing, they will serve God well.
Problems emerge from the beginning.
God apparently revealed this vision to him alone. The congregation does not share the vision. For that reason the congregation becomes divided. Furthermore, the building will not structurally support such a spire. The builder takes on this project after threats and intimidation.