The Geocache
You may think there are already enough multis beginning from this church, but there's no reason not to add another! Please note, due to proximities with existing multis and wherigos, the final hide is on a footpath on the outskirts of town - it can be a pleasant walk from the church or you can drive closer (although a short walk will still be involved). Waypoints are provided to assist.
To work out exactly where the final hide can be found, you need to make your way to the listed co-ordinates where you will find a stone in the wall of the church. Please note the following numbers:
A = How many words are there on the first two lines
B = Number of letters in the surname of the warden with initials A. C.
C = Number of letters in the first word on the first line
D = Number of times the word 'bellringer' appears
EFGH = There is a single year on the stone, this provides the remaining numbers you require.
The final container is located at - N 53 EA.(F-E)BC W 001 HH.DCG
Checksum = 39
History of the Church
Chapel-en-le-Frith derives its name from the church which was erected here by Foresters from the Royal Forest in 1225, Frith being a local word for forest. After the Norman Conquest, and possibly before, the area was part of the Royal hunting forest of the High Peak, and was part of the parish of Hope, which meant almost a day's journey to attend a funeral or a marriage. The foresters and keepers petitioned for a chapel of ease, which was granted and the first church was built in 1225. It became known as the Chapel in the Forest. Later it was dedicated to the martyred Thomas a Becket, and for 700 years the successors of the foresters preserved the right to elect their vicar.
Therefore, there has been a church on this site since 1225 when the woodcutters of the Royal Forest of the Peak built a chapel in a clearing in the forest. Parts of the church’s foundations, the lower sections of its walls, the crypt and the piscine probably date from the original building, but the rest of the church is mainly 14th century.
A Saxon cross in the churchyard indicates that there may have been a church here prior to the foresters’ chapel. The south porch, south aisle and tower were rebuilt in 1733. The chancel was rebuilt and alterations made in 1893.
Buried in the churchyard are soldiers of the Scottish army of the Duke of Hamilton who marched south in support of Charles I in 1648. After their defeat at Preston, the battle at Ribblesdale Moor, 1,500 prisoners were marched to Chapel and imprisoned in the church for sixteen days in such squalid conditions that forty died; a further ten died when they were marched towards Cheshire. The Eccles Pike Cross stands in the churchyard, having been moved here from Ollerenshaw Farm in 1925. It is believed to be Anglo-Saxon and is covered in very worn carvings.
General Information about my Church Micros
- I try to make each church micro straightforward to work out and find. The final location is placed somewhere I believe it will last well and have a high chance of being in place when you visit, however this may involve a walk or drive to the final location.
- The multi will take you to the church initially so you can enjoy visiting the ancient building. This is not necessarily for religious reasons, but simply to enjoy part of the history of the area. The final location is not likely to have a view of the church, but this is why you were taken to the church originally.
- Whilst I am aware some churches will grant permission for geocaches, regardless of this I generally do not place caches in churchyards because they are sacred places, and many people feel uncomfortable searching for a box with grieving people tending to graves nearby, something I quite understand. There is also potential for disturbance if the container goes missing.
- Some church micros I have placed further from my home than I would normally, often in remote or scenic areas where otherwise there may be none. Whilst I do have every intention of maintaining them, please help me by securely closing containers, and re-hiding them carefully and inconspicuously. Every single finder contributes to the condition and longevity of each geocache and any help you can provide to ensure there is a dry logbook and container waiting for the next person would be appreciated.
- Every church micro takes a great deal of time to place and produce the listing. Therefore it is a great shame when I receive occasional aggressive logs because, for example, the final location does not have a view of the church. Of course I like to read about your experiences but please accept the above points before you begin. Thank you for visiting and for your consideration, please enjoy exploring the area.
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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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