Church Micro 2999...West Stafford Multi-cache
Chilli Monsters: Time to go!
Church Micro 2999...West Stafford
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A Church Micro at St Andrew's Church, West Stafford.
Parking available on Barton Close.
For over 600 years now people have come to this House of God. Very little now remains of the original building; the porch, and the very fine windows to the west of the porch as you enter and the font.
The first major restoration took place when the present tower was added, though there may have been one there before, built in the perpendicular style with the cinquefoil windows. Then in 1640 some of the walls were rebuilt, most of the windows altered, and the carved work added.
The Jacobean character remains, and the pulpit, screen and some of the pews are originals. To these were added the very elegant wall brackets on the screen and the chandelier. These were given in 1713 by John Gould, whose family made several gifts to the Church.
The parish dower chest in the chancel is of interest, and is said to be one of three of its pattern - the other two being in the Bank of Ireland.
Note also the fine Royal Arms of James I.
There are some good 17th and 18th century monuments to the Russell, Gould and the White families, and more recently to the Floyer family, 1811-1927.
The bells, of which there are only three, are all by Wallis, and are dated 1595 and two 1620.
Thomas Hardy, in his novel, Tess of the D'Urbervilles refers to the three bells of Talbothayes parish church which were rung at Tess' wedding; although he seems to have moved Talbothayes a mile or so further from Dorchester, this charming little village church has ever since been associated with "Tess".
In 1898, in the memory of Canon Smith, the east end was extended, and the altar and santuary rails moved to their present position, while the screen was moved to the site of the original east wall, and an east window of the period was put in. Canon Smith, who was rector for 59 years, and his family, gave many gifts as memorials, the reredos, most of the pictures and the Austrian wood-carving.
The restoration completed in 1970, tried to restore and maintain its Jacobean character and in 2008-9 the roof was restored.
The above co-ordinates should take you to the grave of Reginald Bosworth Smith.
How many years was he assistant master at Harrow? = AB
Behind you is an angel on top of a grave.
What year is Christmas Day mentioned? CDEF
The cache can be found at:
N50 42. A F D-(B+C)
W002 23. E A B-(E+A)
Checksum is 36
Congratulations to S+B for FTF.
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
There is also a Church Micro Stats page found via the Bookmark list.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Qbja ybj - Gerr/Vil