This is a straightforward micro as part of the church micro series.
The cache
The cache itself is a standard micro container. Look in the hint for exact directions but it's not hard to find!
The cache IS (just) in the grounds of the church. However, you DO NOT need to enter the church property to find the cache. Please DO NOT enter church property.
The cache is accessible by a flat path. Fully accessible to wheelchair users/pushchair users.
I'm pretty sure that a wheelchair user should be able to reach over the fence and get the cache but please let me know if this proves difficult.
Please sign the log and replace the cache exactly as found.
The church (as written by a church member)
Florence Street Mission Hall, in the Gorse Hill area of Swindon, was built by Mr Daniel Skinner. The main hall, known initially as ‘Skinner's Mission Hall', was opened on 24 October 1903. Mr Skinner, a baker by trade, decided to build a place of worship for the preaching of the gospel. He also built several houses in Florence Street and took up residence in one of them, number 27, next to the hall.
The rectangle hall, capable of seating 100 - 150 people had a fairly high platform at one end with a rail around it. The small porch had a door on each side.
At the opening, the hall was packed. A good number of folk attended the hall for worship, prayer and ministry and at the end of 1904 there is a record of 49 members.
The schoolroom was added in 1908.
The present kitchen, storeroom and toilets were built in 1996. A car park was also constructed at the back of the hall at the same time.
During the war years there were many difficulties but the work went on. There was quite a large Sunday School and for their outing the scholars walked to Southbrook recreation ground. Games and races were arranged for the children. Tea was provided for the children too. Then at Christmas, parties were held in the schoolroom and these too were times of fun.
During the war the schoolroom was generally filled to capacity for the Wednesday evening children's meetings. On some evenings the meetings came to an abrupt end when the sirens sounded, indicating an air-raid and all the children had to run home as quickly as possible through the ‘blacked out' streets, guided by dimly lit torches.
The number in fellowship has fluctuated much over the years but still the work goes on faithfully. Hundreds of people have heard of God's love for them and many have come to trust Him as Saviour and Lord.
We still hold childrens clubs, coffee mornings, mums and toddler group, Quiz evenings and various other things throughout the year. Also a popular holiday club usually held in February.
Thanks
Great thanks go to Florence Street Mission Hall who not only gave permission for placement of this cache, but also provided the above history information.
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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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