The 13th-century parish Church of St. John the Baptist shows a close connection of the Sandys family with the American Colonists. It can be seen in the floor slab monument to Penelope Washington within the altar rails. The oak gates were installed in the 17th century with a monument to the Sandys family on the north side. Penelope Washington, whose mother married Sir Samuel Sandys and moved to the Manor House, was a distant relative of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. A more charming setting could hardly be imagined, alongside the ancient manor house, once a 'grange' (or country house) of the Abbots of Evesham. Passing through the church door, one feels an atmosphere of timelessness. This in not accidental. Through careful maintenance and wise restoration, the internal arrangements are much as they were 300 years ago. Though the Chancel dates from the 13th century: the Nave walls were re-built by the parishioners in Stuart times, An entry in the baptism register for Sept. 20 1640 states "the first baptized in the new Churche",. The Tower was completed in 1686, and its single bell, cast in a local foundry, was hung at the same time.
To find the co-ordinates for the final location, you need to find the grave of WH Smith who died on DD/MM/YEAR aged XX years old, which translates as AB/CD/EFGH aged JK and use it in the following formula.
N 52 CD.(EF/3) A J W 001 (B-D)H. (G/H) (A+E+K) (D+E)
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************