The Church
Harrowbarrow and the nearby village of Metherell were the centre of intense mining activity for well over a hundred years. The last arsenic processing operation closed in 1920 but for years, copper, silver, tin and lead were mined in quantity in the area. The population declined in the early 20th Century and all that remains of this industrial period are the ruins of chimneys and mine buildings.
The church was built in 1870 as a school and a mission chapel in response to the Education Act of that year that brought in compulsory elementary education and it was dedicated to All Saints by the bishop in 1871. The building was a school during the week and on a Friday afternoon it was prepared for Sunday services.
This arrangement continued for nine years when the school transferred to its own board school premises. Church services continued there but the church was never licensed for weddings — until now. A licence to conduct weddings has been obtained and the first wedding took place at the Church in September 2015.
The church has had its pews removed and the interior is carpeted and chairs are provided for the congregation at the bi-monthly services. It has no obvious distinguishing features except its very high and steeply sloped roof which has a curved eastern end.
The church is used for a variety of community activities and is still an important building in the village. The parish church is St Andrew's at Calstock.
The Cache
There is a large parking area in front of the church - there are two entrances off the road.
The cache is a small plastic tube 7 cms long by 3 cms in diameter wrapped in camo tape.
You may require tweezers to retrieve the cache - please bring your own pen.
****************** ********************
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.
****************** *******************