This impressive building is the Wesleyan Methodist church. Now current;y empty building, the church is a Grade II listed building currently up for sale.
To log this find, you need to look at the materials used in the building of this church and answer some questions. Please send the answers to your questions before logging the cache.
- Look at the pillars at the front of the church. Describe them - what colour are they, can you see crystals - and if so what size/colour are they?
- What type of stone (igneous or sedimentary) do you think the pillars are?
- Look at the other stones below and above the pillars. Describe them - what colour are they, can you see crystals - and if so what size/colour are they?
- What type of stone (igneous or sedimentary) do you think these stones are?
- Which of these types of stones is more porous - give reasons for your answer.
- Optional task - take a photograph of yourself or your GPS at GZ. It would be nice to see you visiting this lovely church - please be careful not to reveal any answers in your photo.
The information below may help you to make your decisions.
Rocks are divided into three categories - igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. At this site, you won't find any metamorphic rocks, but hopefully you will be able use this information or your previous experience to spot igneous and sedimenary rocks.
Igneous rocks are tough rocks, formed as really hot magma cools and turns back into a solid from a liquid. Igneous rock may form crystals as it cools, and the speed at which it cools can affect the types and sizes of crystals it forms. Loosely speaking, the slower it cools, the larger the crystals, and the faster it cools the smaller the crystals. Usually, these crystals are tightly packed together, which means they are not porous - water cannot absorb into the rock because it can't squash between the crystals. If you see rain falling on an igneous rock, you'll see it run off rather than be absorbed into the rock.
Examples of igneous rocks are granite and basalt.
Sedimentary rocks such as are hardened grains that are squashed together under pressure. Often these grains are visible in the stone itself. One of the common forms of sedimentary rocks in the Northwest of England is sandstones, and if you look closely you can see what looks likegrains of sand, run your hand across the surface and it feels rough, like sandpaper.
They are formed over many, many years, built up bit by bit under enormous pressure. Sometimes you can see this displayed as layers in the rock. The irregular shapes of the grains forming these rocks means they can't be packed so tightly together, which means they are porous - water can be absorbed into the rock. If you see rain on sedimentary rock, you will see it being absorbed into the rock, and when the rain stops it takes a while for the rock to dry completely. This constant activity can cause damage to the rock from chemical reactions between the rain and the rock, or when the water freezes and then thaws. As water freezes, it expands, which can push the grains apart and cause parts of the rock to break off over time.
Examples of sedimentary rocks are sandstome and limestone.
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