There are/were no less than 10 churches in Helensburgh, some still active, some demolished and some re-invented and/or used for other purposes. Five of the churches past and present are part of this multi-cache. The other five are
St Bride's Church - now a block of flats and the local library
St. Columba which is now home to the local cinema
Helensburgh Baptist Church
Park Church - now a Buddhist Centre and
The Catholic Church.
Stage 1 - Old Parish Church
All that remains of the Old Parish Church is its tower which, for many years, was the home of the VisitScotland Visitor Centre. (now sadly closed, the tower in a poor state and up for sale)
In 1847 members of the Church of Scotland opened this church at the foot of Sinclair Street which from 1862 acquired the name of the Church and Parish of Helensburgh. The name was changed to Helensburgh Old Parish Church in 1929 following the national union of the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland. In the 1980s, after years of dereliction, the building was demolished, with the exception of its tower.
Stage 2 - St. Michael & All Angels
The present St Michael & All Angels was completed in 1868. Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, the Edinburgh architect, chose the French Gothic style of the 13th century for the building. The external stonework of red sandstone was from Comcockle, Dumfriesshire and the internal limestone from Caen in Normandy.
Stage 3 - United Reformed Church
We couldn't find much usable information about this building. We hope to update sometime soon.
Stage 4 - HPC
This place has a very colourful history. In 1822 a group of people began to worship together in Helensburgh, using a variety of locations over the next few years. Two years later land was acquired at the corner of Colquhoun Square where the present church now stands, and the first church building was opened in the following year under the name of the Original Secession Church.
By 1924 the place of worship had been renamed a handful of times. In this year, the building in Colquhoun Square was almost completely destroyed in a fire and the rebuilt church opened for worship in 1926.
Between 1929 and 2015, the church changed it's name 5 more times: St Andrew's Church, Old and St Andrew's Church, West Kirk of Helensburgh, St Andrew's Kirk and finally Helensburgh Parish Church.
For more info on its history, see HPC
Stage 5 - Bethesda Christian Fellowship
Not much info available for this place either.
Stage 6 - Take a seat.....
..... and do your calculations.
A = Answer to question at Stage 1 - Old Parish Church
What are the numbers next to the letter G on the small plate at the corner of the building, close to the pavement?
B = Answer to question at Stage 2 - St. Michael & All Angels
How many angels are surroundig St. Michael?
C = Answer to question at Stage 3 - URC
How many round decorative pillars are on the north facing wall? (count both levels)
D = Answer to question at Stage 4 - HPC
How many pairs of stone eyes around the two arched windows are looking at you?
E = Answer to qestion at Stage 5 - Bethesda
Count the "steps" of the wall to the left of the church.
Answer to Stage 5 is no longer there. Until I can come up with an alternative, take answer to Stage 3 and divide it by 3.
The final location is at N56 00.FGH W004 43.XYZ
F = B-D
G = A/B-190
H = E+1
X = C-D
Y = C/E
Z = C-B-E
To open the cache container, you need to inspect the facade at this location and deduct the answer to stage 2.
There is no need to enter the property or the building, however if the gates and doors are open, you’re very welcome to come in. The place will be busy on Sundays 10am to 2pm and also on several evenings.