This was built in 1928 as a mission church in the parish of Durrington. It was only acquired by the parish in 1951 from the executors of the vicar of Durrington who had built it. It is a late example of a “tin tabernacle”; a pre-fabricated iron church, and the only Anglican one to survive in Worthing. It is, indeed, one of a diminishing number nationally.
A wide variety of iron churches, missions halls and chapels were built by the early Victorian engineers to satisfy the needs of the religious revivals of the 19th century. Corrugated iron provided one of the best ways of erecting temporary buildings and manufacturers were quick to identify its potential. As can be see today, many of these ‘temporary’ buildings managed to survive far longer than their builders.
While tin chapels and churches make up a relatively small number of the national places or worship, it is sobering to note that over 5000 chapels were built in Wales during the nineteenth century - over one a week. These chapels are now being lost forever at a similar rate through disuse, demolition or conversion to other uses.
To locate the cache, go to the published co-ordinates, from there you can see a sign affixed to the wall of the church. The cache is located at N50 50.ABC W000 24.DEF where:
A = Number of letters in the 2nd word describing the earlier Sunday service
B = Second digit in the time of the earlier service
C = Number of letters in the 1st word describing the later service
D = Number of letters in the 2nd word describing the later service
E = Number of letters in the first two words at the top of the sign
F = Number of letters in the 2nd word on the third line
This cache replaces the original GC5HTR6 and therefore qualifies as part of the "Church Micro: Resurrection Challenge". To view, please click here
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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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