The Church
Located in the centre of Callington, and consecrated in 1438, St. Mary’s Church was initially a chapel of ease to South Hill. The Church was built after a successful petition by Chief Townsman Nicholas Assheton, and other members of the Parish, for a Cemetery within the town.
Assheton, and his wife Margaret are buried within the church, under the Chancel floor. The spot is marked by a marble slab inlaid with brass effigies of the couple. Also interred within the Church is Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke, Lord of the Manor of Callington, and steward of the Duchy of Cornwall, who was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1479, and of Devon in 1480. His tomb is marked by an alabaster monumental effigy.
The church is usually open during the daytime and is worth a visit inside. There are a number of fine stained glass windows and below the window in St Andrews Chapel on the north side there are some interesting ecclesiastical sculptures.
The 67 ft high tower was badly damaged by fire in 1895 but was rebuilt with six new bells a year later. In 1973 the bells were recast to create the eight bells that now hang in the tower.
The font dates from Norman times and was probably from the original church on this site. It is unusual in having a kneeling stone on the south side.
The Cache
Please note that, regrettably, dogs are not allowed in the churchyard.
The headline coordinates take you to the entrance porch of the church on the south side.
Just across the path near the entrance is a grave with a cracked horizontal slab on which is engraved:
"SACRED to the memory of MARY ANN, eldest daughter of the late John Kinsman Esq of this town and widow of the late Robert Mules Esquire of the County of Devon who departed this life on Nov AAth ABAC aged DE years"
The cache can be found very close by at N 50 30.(A+A)A(E-B-A) W 004 18.EDC
The cache is a 35 mm film container and is MAGNETICALLY attached.
The cache is in a high muggle area and considerable stealth will be needed
Please replace in exactly the same location as found.. You may need tweezers to retrieve the log - BYOP.
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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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