Old Mans Church Cemetery Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Cache_Chameleon: There has been no response from the cache owner since my previous note, therefore this listing is now being archived.

Cache Chameleon
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Hidden : 4/15/2013
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


Another Brookhaven town landmark dating back over 224 years, the Mt. Sinai Congregational Church organized in 1789. There was originally a church in the area from 1740, but it did not last long and it seems the community went without church services until December 23, 1789, the date on the first page of the old record book kept by Nathaniel Miller, the first clerk of the church. A meeting on February 6, 1790 saw the Rev. Noah Hallock chosen as the church pastor. The old building was used until April 6, 1807 when a subscription paper circulated for the purpose of considering building a new church. On April 15, 1807, only 9 days later, it was announced that more than $1400 had been raised for construction costs. Included on the building committee were Noah Hallock, Issac Miller, James Davis, David Robbins, and Deacon Samuel Hopkins. Construction began April 30, 1807, and Rev. Hallock gave his first sermon in the new building December 3 of the same year. At this time, it was called the United Parish of Old Man's, Miller Place, and Rocky Point. Eventually the name Old Man's would be changed to Mount Sinai.
     In 1851, a 10 foot addition for the steeple and a vestibule were added. 1889 saw important alterations to the church made. An alcove for choir use was erected, and new carpets, pews, lamps, and a new heater were installed. Before this addition, a wood burning stove located in both the front and back of the church provided warmth, while kerosene lamps remained as a source of light until electricity came into general use. Dedicated September 2, 1926, a parish house was built for a $3000+ pricetag, and 1936, a new pipe organ was aquired. A 1938 unnamed hurricane, which claimed the lives of over 50 people on Long Island, caused some damage to the church grounds. New landscaping and freshly planted memorial trees for faithful members of the past repaired this damage.
     Over 800 members and 17 ministers have passed through the church since Rev. Noah Hallock served from 1789-1818. Rev. Frank Voorhees served as pastor for the longest span of time, 31 years total from 1916 until retiring in 1947. Currently the church claims over 200 members and is led by Rev. Dr. Diane C. Samuels, senior pastor. Originally established in 1841, the church cemetery was transferred to the Sea View Cemetery Association in 1890. In 1892, the Mount Sinai Congregational Church burial ground was officially incorporated as Seaview Cemetery.

      In order to obtain the final coordinates, you must respectfully and politely enlist the help of some of the residents. You will begin your search at N 40 57.196 W 073 01.051. Here you will find three (3) small simple headstones of the same style. These three gray stones are only a bit larger than a brick and list only a first name on each. They are NOT full size headstones. You must count how many letters there are for NAMES in total on the three headstones and add five (5) to this number. Again, you are only counting the letters for the names listed. The number that you get will be the last two (2) digits for the North set of coordinates to the cache.
      Next, you must go to N 40 57.211 W 073 01.042 and visit the grave of the wife of William Taverner Stokes, one of the former pastor's of the church. The headstone will tell you if you have found the correct resting place. You must take the last two (2) digits of the year of her death and use them to finish off the missing numbers in the West set of coordinates to the cache.
Final Coordinates are: N 40 57.2-- W 073 01.0--

     One of my favorite cemeteries on the island, I've spent many hours wandering the quiet little hills of this place of rest. There is no need to disturb any of the stones to locate this cache, and I urge you to remember to be respectful while in the area. The cache is a plastic container about 5 inches long spray-painted black containing a log. I've started it off with some foam Halloween stickers, a purple spider, a mini first aid kit, a mini spiderweb, and a couple of pirate coins. There is also a special trophy for the First to Find!! Please be sure to re-hide the cache well, and once again, remember to be respectful while here. Happy caching!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

tvnag trb-cvyr

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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