Church Micro 11006 . . . Ben Rhydding
The cache, a magnetic micro, is hidden close to the Anglican parish church of Ben Rhydding - St John the Evangelical. Note that the given coordinates are for possible nearby street-side parking on St John's Road across from the church.
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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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To find the cache:
Step 1: after (if necessary) finding suitable nearby road-side parking, head for N 53 55.470 W 1 48.018 where you will see a large green metal BT box with the number PCP-A stencilled in fading white paint on the front doors.
Step 2: proceed around the corner to N 53 55.473 W 1 48.007 where right of the entry gate is a tall lamp post with the white number B
Step 3: move towards the entrance door to N 53 55.470 W 1 48.005 where you can note that there are C large square-headed bolts holding each black-painted hinge to the door.
Step 4: take a few steps east to N 53 55.471 W 1 48.002 where left of the window there is ventilation stone with D holes in each vertical row.
Step 5: finally head further east to N 53 55.472 W 1 47.977 where you will find a small metal access cover for gas with the identification number HCBEOG.
Using the numerical values for A, B, C, D and E the final can be found at:
N 53 55.CB(D+2) W 1 48.(A-1)(E-3)(B-D)
Regular Church services began within the Ben Rhydding community in 1901. The need for a local place of worship grew and plans for the Church were drawn up in July 1903.
On 21 October 1903, 2,174 square metres of land, formerly a cricket field, on which to build a Church was purchased for £650. After appropriate fund raising, a start was made on the erection of the nave and chancel In December 1904.
The Church was formerly opened with the laying of the foundation stone, at the west end, by Mr Walter Walker of Ben Rhydding on 14 October 1905. It was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Ripon on 16 December 1905.
Gradually over the next few years the Church was extended being effectively completed by 27 July 1910 when the west end of the nave and the tower were dedicated by the Bishop of Ripon.
On 24 June 1912 the separate parish of Ben Rhydding was created which St Johns has been ministering to ever since. Over 800 people attended the induction service of Reverend Walter Bradley into the new parish of St John the Evangelist (St John's) in November 1912.
Items of local significance within the church include:
The Pulpit: in carved oak - a 1909 gift from Mr Tennant, brother-in-law of Reverend Bradley, the first incumbent.
The Lectern: a substantial brass stand topped by the eagle (a symbol of St John the Evangelist) presented by the Mother's Union in 1933.
The Organ: originally built by Walckers in Germany 1909 and rebuilt by Abbott & Smith of Leeds in 1933.
East Window: this beautiful window, often brilliantly lit by the morning sun, is a lasting memorial to those who died in the Great War 1914-1918.
Tower Clock: is by William Potts of Leeds and was presented in 1959 by Miss Jillah Duell who owned a local sweet shop.
Fisher Window: a gift from the builder of the Church, this stained glass window shows Peter and disciples fishing and was made by Harrison and Andrews of Hull (undated).
Baptistry Window: a traditional stained glass window by E Pickett & Co of Leeds 1963.
The Belfry Tower: contains a single bell cast by Shaw & Co of Bradford in 1908 (see the old ad in the Gallery).
During the 1980s the Church Hall was added providing facilities for the Sunday School and for a wide variety of local community activities. The main Church Hall kitchen was substantially refurbished and re-equipped as part of the Church centenary celebrations in 2005.
Currently the roof is being refurbished to replace the failing oak pegs which secure the tiles.