MARCH is a parish and market town, with an important junction station on the Great Eastern and Great Northern railways, 88 miles from London by rail, 29 north from Cambridge, 14 north-west from Ely and 9 south from Wisbech, in the Northern division of the county, hundred and union of North Witchford, Isle of Ely, rural deanery of March and in the peculiar archidiaconal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Ely.
The town is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Nene with a handsome bridge of one arch which was erected over the river towards the north end of the town in 1850. The High street, which is the chief thoroughfare, is continued over the bridge to Broad street on the north side of the Nene, and the High causeway is lined with a fine avenue of elm and other trees.
St. John's is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1872: the church, situated on the station road and built in 1872, is an edifice of stone in the Early English and Decorated styles, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and a western turret containing one bell: in the chancel is a memorial window to Sir Algernon William Peyton bart, of Swift's House, Bicester, Oxon, the late patron, who died 25 March, 1872: there are 500 sittings. The register dates from the year 1872.
The church was built by T.H. Wyatt in the 'Gothic' style, with 13th century style fenestration and font, and a marble pulpit. The nave has a scissor-braced roof. Its plain exterior belies fine architecture within.
At a total cost of £5000, the church was a gift to the parishioners from the trustees of the rectory of Doddington division acts, and was consecrated on 29th July 1872 by the Bishop of Ely.
It stands much as it was originally built, the only major addition being a large vestry on the north side. Inside, some pews have been removed to make circulation easier, and to provide for kitchen space. A large platform has been built at the entrance to the chancel, providing space for less formal worship, and also giving the space needed for the church to be used for a much wider variety of events outside worship.
The Parish Hall in Queens Street (built in 1933) is the third one to be owned by the parish, the first being in Grays Lane, and the second one in Broad Street where the NatWest bank now stands.
The cache itself is located outside the church and can be accessed from the footpath without the need to enter church property. The area is busy and stealth is therefore required at all times. The best opportunity for parking is in nearby County Road which also has a rather nice fish and chip shop if you are on an evening foray!
Congratulations to TOOT Phoenix on FTF - no excuses really as it was so close ;-)
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