Please only visit this cache during daylight hours and be respectful of other users of the area.
St. Mary the Virgin Church is an impressive aspect of the town with a long history. It was built sometime between 1163 and 1177 by Richard de Lucy, with additions being made in the 13th and 14th century. The church was to eventually become the property of Henry VIII who gave it to the Provost and Fellows of Eton Collegein 1531. The patron today is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
There is a Devil legend attached to the church relating to a stone that once stood on the corner of Church Lane but was moved to the church entrance in 1936. This stone has a mark in the shape of a hoof that was reputedly caused by the Devil when he leapt from the belfry after stealing the church bells which had been disturbing him. Carrying the bells in a large sack, the Devil tripped over the stone as he landed and spilling his plunder out of the sack and onto the lane. The bells are said to have rolled down the lane and into the river.
N 51º 21.ABC
E 0º 39.DEF
A = the number of the month that Reverend Henry Thomas of Lower Halstow died.
B = take the second to last digit of the year from the last digit of the year he died.
C = if the year is 1870 how many years ago did he die
D = how many glazed windows are there facing north
E = Private E Carver's service number last digit minus 1st digit
F = Private E Carver 2F/11/18
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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 at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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