Church Micro 394 - St. Peter's Church, Paglesham. Traditional Cache
grimmerscotting: Taking down.
Church Micro 394 - St. Peter's Church, Paglesham.
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(micro)
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A pretty church in the appropriately named pretty village of Pagelsham Church End.
There has been a church at Church End since at least 1066. The present building is mainly 15th century but with some 12th century elements in the chancel and nave, and a 16th century west tower.
The 19th century south porch is approached along an attractive tree-lined path The church is constructed of stone, flint and septaria with some Roman bricks incorporated into the fabric.
By the 1880s it had fallen into a state of dilapidation, but money was raised by subscription for a major restoration in 1883, when the roof was rebuilt and the vestry and south porch were added.
The church has undergone various repairs throughout the 20th century, but its condition is not as good as it should be. Part of the churchyard around the tower is currently roped off with plastic barriers due to the potential hazard from falling stonework.
The churchyard is bounded by a low red brick boundary wall mainly with soldier brick capping but some stone capping. As well as some 17th and 18th century gravestones, the churchyard contains an excellent survival of 19th century gravestones and ironwork. These include the graves of a number of important local families including the Browning and Wiseman families who were successful oyster merchants at East End, and the infamous smuggling family, the Blyths.
The churchyard is still in use, but has become overgrown particularly to the north, and some of the gravestones are overwhelmed with scrub, although it should be noted that since appraisal a rota of volunteers has been established to help clear scrub and maintain the churchyard.
The wall is suffering in places under the weight of encroaching vegetation particularly on the west side. On the south side the boundary wall along the street edge is in poor condition, with open joints and crumbling bricks. At the south-west corner of the churchyard wall is a red brick mounting block of 18th century date, with stone steps.
The cache is not hidden in the churchyard itself, but a short walk away along a pleasent footpath.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq pbapergr cbfg.