Bywell’s two churches, Bywell St Andrew and Bywell St Peter, stand at the meeting point of two Norman baronies but both are originally Anglo Saxon.
St Andrew’s is known as the ‘white church’ because it was served by Premonstratensian monks from Blanchland who wore white habits and it was likely the church that served the parishioners, whereas St Peter’s (GC97930) served the monastery that existed here.
The tall tower is a magnificent example of a late Anglo-Saxon building. Dating from about 850 it has massive walls 5m thick, clearly intended for defence, but it is much more than a defensive structure. It is built from a lovely mixture of cream, yellow, brown and even red sandstone and has the small rounded windows characteristic of the time.
The main body of the church dates from C13 and was considerably enlarged and restored in 1871. Much of the interior dates from this Victorian restoration including the mosaic floor of the sanctuary and the glittering reredos. There is very fine Victorian stained glass. Set into the walls, both inside and outside, are magnificent early medieval grave slabs. They have bold carvings with emblems denoting the status of the person they commemorate, including swords, shields a hunting horn, shears and a book.
The church was declared redundant in 1973 and is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
The given co-ords are for the gateway into the churchyard. It is possible to park opposite the gateway to St Andrew’s with due consideration for others but no closer please. Otherwise use the parking place given.
The cache is hidden at N54 57.ABC W001 55.DEF
The numbers you need can be found easily on a clockwise walk round the church initially on the path from the gate. Remember to be respectful and mindful of others you might see.
As you walk you cannot miss the Armstrong gravestone. The sixth digit on this is A.
Continue until an intimidating notice prevents you from leaving the churchyard. By your feet is a gravestone. On this the seventh digit is B and the third digit less the fifth digit is E.
Go to the church porch where there is a plaque about the Churches Conservation Trust. The number of letters in the last two words is D.
Walk round to the north side of the church to look at the grave slabs in the church wall then find the gravestone by the gate. The sixth digit is C and George died in 18F5.
The checksum is 25,
If you would like to add to the Church Micro series yourself then please look here
http://churchmicro.co.uk/
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page that can be found at
http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html