Rocks
There are three main types of rock: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic.
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the deposition of material at the Earth's surface and within bodies of water.
Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Metamorphic rocks are formed from the transformation of existing rock types, typically due to intense variations in heat and pressure.
You will see all three types on your visit.
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock, formed by the effects of intense temperature and pressure conditions on limestone, whereby the carbonate minerals recrystallise. Depending on the metamorphism, traces of fossils or other sedimentary rocks may be seen in the marble. Also, mineral impurities in the rock give rise to various colours of marble.
For thousands of years, marble has been valued for its smooth texture, colours and ease of working and thus is often used for sculptural and building purposes.
World famous landmarks such as the Parthenon in Greece, the Taj Mahal in India and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington all heavily feature marble in their construction.
St Margaret's Church
Near the posted coordinates, on the western side of the church, is the main entrance. Looking up you will see a finely designed circular window, above which is carved the Bodelwyddan Coat of Arms.
Entering the church you will be impressed by the many uses of marble.
Most of the church flooring consists of marble and, whilst much of it is covered & hidden by carpet, it can be seen in the Sanctuary and Lady Chapel. The larger panels are Sicilian marble with smaller strips of Belgian marble and small squares of Kilkenny marble.
In the Sanctuary, there are several panels of Povey marble, topped with beatiful pinnacled ogee arches, upon which are written the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Apostles' Creed.
The font, depicting two young sisters holding a shell, is made from exquisite Carrara marble from Italy.
The main nave pillars are red Belgian marble and have elaborately carved capitals with fruit, flowers and foliage. Above are smaller red marble pillars.
To log this earthcache there are several questions:
1. At the posted coordinates, look at the rock used to construct the church - what colour is it and what type of rock is it ?
2. On the window above the main entrance, how many triangles can you see ?
3. Standing either side of the main entrance there are two nooks of polished stone - what colour are they and what type of rock are they constructed from ?
4. In the porch, at the western end of the nave, are two pillars of Anglesey marble - what colour are they ?
5. In the chancel, the roof principals are carried by multiple parallel shafts of Griotte marble, with narrow fillets of Kilkenny marble - what colour are the main pillars and the fillets ?
6. Also in the chancel there are smaller shafts of Langeudoc marble set on bases of Dorset Purbeck marble - estimate the total length of a single shaft and the length of just the base.
Once you have gathered the required information, please send me an email message through my profile (not messenger); emails should be sent before, or shortly after, logging a find otherwise your log could be deleted.
The church is open daily for private prayer and visitors are most welcome.
Typical opening times are daily from 09:30 to 16:30 throughout the year except for December 25th to January 6th; however to check precise opening times and service times please call 01745 590883.
There is ample parking along the road by the church.
In the churchyard you will see many graves and a red sandstone memorial cross.
The graves are the final resting place of over 100 men and women who served in the Commonwealth forces during the First World War. The cross is in memory of the many Canadian soldiers who died of an influenza pandemic at the nearby Kinmel Park camp.
Many thanks to the Diocese of St Asaph and The Reverend Canon Ian Day, Vicar of Bodelwyddan & Rhuddlan for granting kind permission for this earthcache to be published.
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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.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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