Christ Church was consecrated in 1864 and designed by William Butterfield, a prestigious 19th century architect, who was also known for his designs for Winchester Hospital and All Saints Margaret Street in London. It is built of polychrome Cornish brick and Bath stone and seats about 100 people.
Most of the windows were also designed by Butterfield and the east end was given in memory of Jonathan Hargreaves, who became the father-in-law of Alice (of Wonderland fame) when she married his son, Reginald.
The present altar frontal `For all Seasons' was completed in 1989. Designed and embroidered by local artist, Joan Van Schaick, the leaves in the season's liturgical colours were worked by many members of the congregation.
The bell inside the church, at the south-west corner, was originally the school bell from next door and was 'rescued' when the school ceased to function in the 1950s.
The church was the gift of Admiral Boultbee who came to live in the parish of Minstead at the beginning of the 19th century. He became the village's principal benefactor,building a school and alms house as well as a church. Largely because of his efforts, the parish itself was created from that of Minstead. After his death, he left his house `The Cottage' (previously the inn `The Running Horse') to the parish as the vicarage.
The coordinates given are for the first stage. It should be possible to park close to here, with care, on the road outside the church.
Location 1: N50° 52.461 W001° 35.615
Number of those remembered from the Hants Regiment = A
Number who were in the RAF or RFA = B
Number of Hargreaves (these were the sons of the famous Alice) = C
Location 2: N50° 52.449 W001° 35.575
What year was the Whitebeam planted = 19EF
Now go just through the gate.
How many letters in the lady's first name? = D
The cache can now be found at:
N50 52.(E-B)E(F+C) W001 35.(E-C)AD
This cache is placed according to the New Forest agreement, and night caching is not permitted.
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
To view the church micro stats page, please click here