Church Micro 2321…Greatford Traditional Geocache
Church Micro 2321…Greatford
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The tower here is not at the west end of the structure but is to be found just to the right of the south porch. The bottom of the tower dates from the first half of the 13th Century. An addition was made half way through that century, with the top of the spire being added in the first quarter of the 14th Century. Much of the main body of the church dates from the 14th Century, but it is thought that a blocked doorway on the North wall is Norman, dating from 1080 - 1150 or thereabouts. More work was done here in the 17th century and the Victorians restored the church in 1854.
The five bells became unsafe to ring for quite some time but all five bells were re-hung by Taylors of Loughborough and a service of thanksgiving and re-dedication took place in May 1988, with the first peal of the restored bells coming three weeks later.
As with most others in the vicinity, the church here is open to the public. There is a very ancient looking font, beautifully carved. A glorious piece of work. One panel shows six people knelt in prayer and another shows what may well be a dead body with an angel watching down over it.
Most of the stained glass here is late Victorian, and is of very high quality. One window shows Peter standing with the key to the Kingdom of Heaven, whilst the text at the top of another window reads "God Is Love".
There is lots of interest outside. Firstly, looking upwards you will notice four grotesques, one on each side of the spire. These are nice pieces of work but are quite worn. These have faces screwed up and tongues out in medieval gesture of insult.
Elsewhere in the grounds, two ancient tombstones stand in the North West, these are said to date from 13th Century. In the East of the church grounds stands a memorial to one Charles Charity who was one of four people killed when a granary floor collapsed whilst they were working.
For pure age though, nothing can compete with the Roman coffin that sits by the side of the porch. This was found in the vicinity and is thought to date from the second half of the 4th Century. It contained the skeleton of an adult male, aged around 40, who had a Nene Valley bowl, made locally near to Castor, and two glass goblets buried with him.
“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.
There is also a Church Micro Stats page found via the Bookmark list”
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Obggbz bs YU tngr cbfg va vil.