This collection of caches has nothing to do with the Church Micro series in the UK. Given that the Australian 2016 census indicates that No Religion and Jedi Knight are the fastest increasing classifications of the optional religion question "What is the person's religion?" it is not surprising that there is surfeit of empty churches that have been repurposed.
Background
Built over one hundred years ago, the now closed Spreyton Baptist Church is unusual in that it has two foundation stones with the same date. Sometimes two stones may be found on a building when a new church is built on top of an older building but it is uncommon for there to be two stones with the same date. (There is a church in Adelaide with four foundation stones, each with the same date).
Baptists had been active in Spreyton for 20 years prior to the church's opening. Worship took place in a room in a small building that also served as the local school. This had become unsuitable as membership of the church grew and a decision was made to build a church that would serve as a Sunday school as well as a day school for Spreyton. The church was built entirely out of donated material. Mr J.B. Graves of the Spreyton brickworks agreed to donate 16 000 bricks on condition that the church was established debt free. This offer resulted in a massive fundraising drive to ensure that this would happen. The 16 000 bricks were donated and it was because of this act of generosity that Mr Graves was invited to lay the second foundation stone.
The foundation stone laying ceremony was reported in the North West Post (the local newspaper at the time):
“Yesterday was a red-letter day in the history of the Spreyton district, as it witnessed the laying of the foundation stone of a building for the Baptist denomination, which will be used for both church and school purposes. . . . The church is being erected in close proximity to the Spreyton station, and when completed it will comfortably accommodate 150 persons. . . . The proceedings were opened with the well known hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation”, after which the “Bishop of Spreyton” (Mr A. J. Stokes) read a portion of scripture and led in prayer”.
Alfred Stokes was no doubt a mover and shaker in the Spreyton and Devonport region. He was also a correspondent for the 'Post' explaining the friendly jibe of “Bishop of Spreyton” from the reporter.
The construction of the Church was completed in less than three months and the opening ceremony was also reported in the North West Post. In this report the description of the building is almost identical to the building seen today although its surroundings have changed almost beyond recognition:
“It is of Gothic architecture, and has six side lead-lights. . . . One lead-light in the porch is of a pretty design and is adorned with the letters “I.H.S.” [Iesus Hominum Salvator, Jesus, Savior of Men. . . . The front gables of the church and porch are finished in rough cast cement, and the words “Baptist Church” stand out in blocked cement letters. . . The outbuildings are to include a stable…the front picket-fencing is decidedly unique, as the posts are not set into the ground, but are cemented into nicely polished and well-shaped pottery feet…made at the Spreyton Pottery”.
Information is still be sought as to when the Spreyton Baptist Church closed and the present occupants, the Spreyton Scounts, took over the building.
The Cache
The two foundation stones face the road on the eastern side of the building.
One Foundation Stone was laid by Rev. F J Miles, the other by J B Graves Esq on
Aug. A, BCDE
The cache is located at S41 13.(A/2)(C-2xA)(E-A+B) E146 20. (E-2xB)(C-2xB)(B)
Checksums: South=18 East=28
You must supply your own pen. If you do not sign the logbook, your Find log will be deleted.
Background to the "Used 2B a Church Micro" series
The "Used 2B a Church Micro" series is the brainchild of Freddo, a very experienced cacher in South Australia. With over 100 caches in the series published in that state, the placement of caches is being extended to other parts of Australia with Freddo maintaining management of the series.