Church Micro 131 (Bonus) - Leigh Mystery Cache
Church Micro 131 (Bonus) - Leigh
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This is the Bonus cache in the first wave of Deepdiggingmole's Church Micro series - number 131 - St. Marys Church, Leigh
St Marys Church, Leigh
The architecture of the present building suggests that St. Mary's was rebuilt in the 13th century. The chancel and tower arches, parts of the chancel and the arcade to the south aisle all belong to that period. The north aisle is known to have been destroyed by fire during the reign of Henry VII (1485-1509). This aisle was not reconstructed, but the existing north wall was erected along the lines of its columns, and the columns were built into the wall. One such column was opened up to view some years ago and still shows signs of the original colour decoration. It seems likely that the western tower was never completed, for a new tower was begun in the 15th century, behind the 13th century tower arch, and carried up to a height of nine feet. At this point the stonework stopped and a timber belfry was erected on the walls.
In 1860-61 the church underwent considerable reconstruction. At the time, the chancel was the responsibility of the Lay Rector, who in this case was Lord de Lisle, while the parish was responsible for the rest of the building. The two parties employed different architects; Lord de Lisle using George Devey, and the parish Charles Bailey, a cousin of Thomas Farmer Bailey, the owner of Hall Place. The two architects used different types of stone, as is obvious when viewing the outside of the building.
The steep barn-like roof and dormer window in existence at the time were removed and the roof raised. A tower was erected at the existing base, and a turret with a door giving access to the pews of the Lay Rector in the chancel aisle. The south wall was rebuilt and the nave restored. Changes were also made to the interior of the building. The west gallery was removed, old pews were replaced by open seats, and in 1862 the chancel was restored. when the work was competed, the church was paved and refurnished, and a new organ, in place of the old barrel organ, installed.
Between 1889 and 1892 the chancel was refurnished to the designs of a well-known architect George Frederick Bodley. He was responsible for the screen, linen-fold paneling, the choir stalls and alabaster reredos.
The above co-ordinates are not for the cache - they are for parking
To find this cache you are required to find 10 other Church micros in order to get the clues.
Once they have been found you can transfer them into
N51 (K-D)(D-F).(F+H)(J+G+A)(F-A)
E000 (E-K)(B+H).(A+K)(C+A)(A+B)
Good luck - ddm
The other ten micros that you will need to visit are
Church micro 117 – St. John the Evangelist Church, Hildenborough GC194HV
Church micro 118 – St. Giles Church, Shipbourne GC194JD
Church micro 119 – St. Peter’s Church, Ightham GC195M4
Church micro 120 – St. Mary’s Church, Platt GC195M1
Church micro 121 – St. Lawrence’s Church, Mereworth GC195M6
Church micro 122 – St. Mary’s Church, Hadlow GC195C0
Church micro 123 – St. Andrew’s Church, Paddock Wood GC195BR
Church micro 128 – St. Peter’s Church, Pembury GC19534
Church micro 129 – St. Peter’s Church, Southborough GC1952Y
Church micro 130 – Tonbridge Parish Church, Tonbridge GC19532
If any body 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
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fubhyq or boivbhf