History Mystery Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

The Seanachai: Greetings from Geocaching.com,

While we feel that Geocaching.com should hold the location for you for a reasonable amount of time, we cannot do so indefinitely. In light of the lack of communication regarding this cache it has been archived to free up the area for new placements. If you haven’t done so already, please pick up this cache or any remaining bits as soon as possible. If you are in the process of replacing or repairing your cache please e-mail me in response to this archival and, if possible, I will unarchive your cache.

I want to thank you for the time that you have taken to contribute in the past and I am looking forward to your continued contributions to the sport of Geocaching.

The Seanachai
Geocaching.com Volunteer Cache Reviewer

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Hidden : 11/5/2013
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

UPDATE: as of 7/9/15 The cache is back at its original coordinates! See new hint.

This is a quick Park and Grab, but the neighborhood also provides hours of historical exploration for the curious. Have fun!
Please note, the church holds services on Sundays at 10am from September to June, so please do not hunt on Sunday mornings.

Includes a First to Find pin!


This cache was created by the children, youth and teachers of the religious education program of First Church and Parish to commemorate our church’s 375th anniversary. First Church has played an important part in the history of the United States and in the development of American Unitarianism.
 
The town of Dedham was founded in 1635 by citizens of Watertown and Roxbury, which were becoming overcrowded. As this was a pristine wilderness with no roads, they naturally arrived by boat. See the landing place of our town and church’s founders by visiting the cache Rebus #4 (as well as a Revolutionary era powder house).
 
On November 8th, 1638, eight members of the town formed a church which had no official religious affiliation, but was dedicated to “everlasting love.” A few months later the Reverend John Allin, a transport from England, was officially called as the church’s first minister. A monument to him can be found in the Old Village Cemetery at the end of Bullard St.
 
The congregation consisted of two separate bodies, the Church and the Parish, a common arrangement in those days. The Parish was composed of the entire town, and tax money supported the church.

This current church building is the third to stand on this spot. The church green was also the spot of the first tax funded public school (look for the plaque on the large stone on the High St side of the green).

 Across the street is the Allin Congregational Church, with whom we share our anniversary. Legend has it our building now faces away from them because of the animosity created by the church’s split in 1818 (but we are all friends now!) when an orthodox majority objected to the calling of a more theologically liberal minister. Read about the contentious calling of Alvan Lamson, the missing Revere silver, and the famous Dedham Decision here: (visit link)
 
First Church became a Unitarian congregation shortly thereafter, and “UU” when the Unitarian and Universalist organizations joined in 1961. Unitarianism has its roots in early European Christianity’s rejection of trinitarian doctrine, and Universalism in the 18th century American theological movement towards an all-loving god. Unitarian Universalism stands out today as a non-creedal religion, rather based on covenant. Today UU’s welcome and encourage theological diversity and are driven towards social justice as a reflection of the inherent worth and dignity of all people.
** Other historic interest: The grey stone condominium on Bullard St served as the Dedham jail until the 1990's. This prison held the famous convicted anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti during their trial in the Dehdam court house in 1921. 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Qba'g srapr zr va.

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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