The Cutest Chapel in the World!!! (Auckland) Traditional Cache
Hidden : 1/1/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The cutest chapel in the whole world, Minnesdale Chapel!!!!

I spent over 10 years of my life growing up in this area, and didn’t even know this place existed.  While spending the Christmas holidays at my Dad’s place, I was told about this little chapel.  From what I was told it was a pretty neat place, so headed out with the family to check it out.  Also decided to grab a new cache from my bag, just in case this place deserved a cache placement, and it most certainly did!
 
Note:  There are gravel roads, so please be careful! Also please be respectful as this chapel is still used.
 
The Chapel

HISTORY

Minniesdale Chapel is most noted for its association with the Albertlanders, a number of whom are buried in its churchyard. The Albertlanders were a group made up largely of Nonconformists who came to New Zealand, mainly from the Midlands of England, between the years 1862 and 1865. The Albertland scheme caught the imagination of the British public from its formation by William Brame in 1862. This was because of the promise of freehold land and a classless society. Three thousand settlers made their way to New Zealand under the scheme only to find that the harsh conditions and the inexperience of the settlers doomed the scheme to failure.

Edwin Stanley Brookes Snr was one of those inspired by the Albertland scheme and he trained as a Baptist minister before setting out for New Zealand. Three of his sons preceded their parents to Albertland and were among the first settlers put ashore at Wharehine in October, 1862. The Baptist settlers held services in each other's homes until the Reverend Brookes and the remainder of his family arrived at Wharehine in 1865, bringing with them the framework of the future Minniesdale Chapel.

Reverend Brookes engaged George Wilcockson to erect the building and it was opened and dedicated on Sunday 29 December 1867. The cost of construction was born by Mr Brookes. His son George Hovey Brookes, donated the land on which the chapel stands. On 1 June 1887 the chapel and grounds were presented to the Baptist Union and eventually to the residents of the Wharehine district to be used as an interdenominational chapel administered by a Board of Trustees.

The chapel in its rural setting cannot look much different today from when it was built in 1867. Minniesdale Chapel is held in great affection by the local community and apart from the regular interdenominational services, a commemorative service is held every year on the nearest Sunday to the opening of the chapel. People come from all over New Zealand and overseas to attend this service.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ncrk bs ebbs

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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