Parish Roots Multi-Cache
toytown: Im going to recycle the cache and create some individual caches in the area that are related to the growth of religion over the years in Winchendon.
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This is a kid friendly and educational 10 step multi-cache, most of which could be considered a Park and Grab. Step # 5 is optional due to seasonal restrictions to access. The remaining steps can be completed in less than an hour. It will be necessary to travel approximately 9 miles to complete. The cache is a Small Plastic Lock-n-Lock container with a log book and room for other items.
This Cache is created in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Winchendon. This is a multi-stage Cache that will take you on a journey along some of the Historic byways of Winchendon in search of locations of former meeting houses and churches that played a part in the progress of religious worship in the last 250 years in Winchendon. Information was gathered from Marvin's History of Winchendon, Winchendon Years 1764-1964 & Local Church records.
To find the coordinates for the final cache, visit the following sites and record the dates or other significant numbers required and do some easy math. Refer to the photos in the gallery so you can visualize the buildings that used to be at those locations.
#1. The coordinates listed above bring you to a sign at the Old Centre Common in Winchendon.
Record the 2 dates listed on the sign. _ _ _ _ & _ _ _ _
#2. Walk approximately 420 Ft to the South end of the Common where you will see a stone marker marking the location and date of the very first Meeting House & Church building in Winchendon.
(See photo # 2) Record the date on the stone _ _ _ _
#3. Return to the sign and go across the road to the Church. This is the 1st Congregational Church and is the 3rd building built in Old Centre for their purposes. Another previous building was built in front of where the present one sits. (See photo # 3) The present building is now used for occasional worship services, Concerts and Lectures. On the front of the building you will find a 2 Plaques . Record the 6 dates found on THE LARGE PLAQUE. _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ & _ _ _ _
#4. Hop in the car and head south to Hale St. and go West to N42° 41.110 W72° 05.145
You will be traveling along a well traveled route thru the Waterville Section of town from 1750 - 1900. At this site you will see a stone marking the location of the first recorded instance of a Methodist Circuit Rider, Lorenzo Dow preaching at the home of Eben Arnold. Foundation remains can still be seen at the rear of the lot.
(See photo # 4) Record the year on the stone _ _ _ _
#5. This site is optional and not accessible until Summer when the Otter River State Park is open and the gates are open. The Coordinates are approximate and the site is at the intersection of New Boston Rd. and Burgess Rd in the New Boston Section of town. N42° 39.060 W72° 06.400 This is the site of the first Baptist Church building in Winchendon Built in 1820 and torn down in 1943 to make way for the Birch Hill Flood Control Area. Lots of cellar holes to explore!
(See photo #5) No number info needed here!
#6. Proceed to N42° 42.258 W72° 05.672 in the Bullardville Section of town where the first recorded Methodist Church was built in 1807 and used until 1833 when the congregation built a larger church in the Village.
Record the number on the utility pole across the road from the site. # __
#7. Now find your way back to the "Village" N42° 40.931 W72° 03.260, note abandoned mill foundations near the stream crossing. You should arrive at School Square where you will see 2 identical shaped houses separated by a driveway to houses in the rear. These houses were once joined together and formed the large Methodist Church seen in photo # 7. This church was constructed in 1833 and separated sometime after 1871.
Record the house number on the colorful house on the left. # _ _
#8. The next site is located at N42° 41.005 W72° 03.041, These Coordinates take you to the site of the last Methodist Church building that existed in Winchendon, It was built in 1872 and torn down in 1947.
(See photo #8) Record the house number here #_ _
#9. Across the street at house #60 is the location of the former Episcopal Church built in 1928 and was shared by the Methodists for worship from 1947 until 1970.
(see photo #9) no number info needed here!
#10. Go to N42° 41.176 W72° 02.663 This was the site of the Baptist Church in the "Village", it was built in 1848 and the steeple was blown off in the 1938 hurricane and then it was destroyed by fire in 1985. An annex to the church was saved and now houses the Winchendon CAC.
(see photo #10) Record the street number on the CAC Building # _ _ _ .
**To find the Final Coordinates: Take the last digit of each of the 14 numbers you have recorded and add them up.
Example: the last digit of a Date 1949 would = 9, House #100 would = 0 (9 + 0 = 9)
Subtract 44 from your answer for the last 2 digits of the North Coords. N42° 40.8 __ __
Add 28 to your answer for the last 2 digits of the West Coords. W72° 02.8 _ __
These are the Coordinates for the Final. Watch out for Muggles ! Please replace the Cache as found and respect the site. This location has it's own Historical significance which will be revealed if you go to the Web Site written inside the cover of the Cache container. Please do not post any photos that will reveal the location of the Cache!
Note! Congrats to wemedge and jenandpups for the First to Find and proud owners of a Toy Town 250th Anniversary Key Chain.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Guvf vf abg "Gur Fgnvejnl gb Urnira" ohg lbh ner erny pybfr gb gur Pnpur!!
Treasures
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