The
Site of the Church of St. Philip
The Church of St
Philip was built in 1873-76, by the architect R C Carpenter, as a
daughter-church of St. Dunstan's, Cheam. St Philips was open for
Sunday services by November 1875, and was consecrated on 1 May [St
Philip and St James' Day] 1876. In the mid 1970s, soon after
celebrating it’s 100th year the church was deemed to be
structurally unstable so the St Philip’s congregation began sharing
the Methodist premises of Christchurch 100m away – leading
eventually to the Local Ecumenical Partnership we see today.
However the churchyard still remains. A little further away on the
opposite side of the road is the church of St
Matthias.
Please note the
opening times for this Churchyard, It is closed between 6pm and
8:30am every day, it is definitely not a night cache, the gates are
firmly locked.
The cache is hidden
next to a path close to a gate, however this gate is locked 24/7 so
do not attempt to gain access from Cuddington Cemetery. Should you
wish to visit Cuddington Cemetery the main entrance is in Lindsay
Road, it is also advisable to try and park in this road. After
parking, walk towards the main road (Cheam Common Road), turn right
and you will see the block of flats that has been built on the site
of the vicarage. The Church of St Philip stood for over 100 years
before being demolished in the 1980s. The footprint of the church
can be seen directly behind the war memorial, the entrance to the
churchyard is on the right. You can also get here by bus (213/151,
the stop is outside the gates).
If the gates are locked, do not try and enter the
churchyard, please come back another day (note opening times
above). Please keep to the footpaths, there is no reason to leave
them.
The cache is now a magnetic 35mm micro container and contains a
log book but no pencil.
Many thanks to the Rev Charlotte Elvey who has kindly given us
permission to place this cache.
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.