Known locally as the “Church by the arch”, the building is situated just off the Square in the centre of Romsey. The archway was the gateway to the old Benedictine Abbey. It is a grade II listed building, construction date 1886-1888.
Near the entrance is a memorial stone with the following information:
"This Memorial Stone was laid by James Spicer J.P., D. L. on the 7th day of September 1886 on behalf of the Congregational Church founded by The Rev Thomas Warren M.A. formerly Rector of Houghton in this County A.D. 1662"
The United Reformed Church was first formed in 1972 by a union of the Presbyterian Church of England and the majority of churches in the Congregational Church in England and Wales.
It takes the name 'Reformed' because it has its roots in the Reformation of the 17th Century, but also because it seeks to be continually reforming, to equip itself to be a Church for today. It is part of the worldwide family of Reformed Churches, which has a total membership of around 70 million people. Respect for individual belief and a conviction that majorities are not always right mean that the Church is not dogmatic and embraces a wide variety of opinions.

The cache is outside the church boundary though within sight of it. Please take care to ensure it remains hidden, and be aware that at times there may be many passers by.
As the container has disappeared twice we have changed the location slightly. We have put detailed information in the hint, please be careful removing and replacing.
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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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