At the end of the 1800's Stoughton was still a village. In 1895 the Stoughton Methodist church was opened. This replaced the structure built in 1891 know as the Tin Tabernacle, and to it's users the Iron Room, as it was a corrugated iron building. Once the 'new' church opened the Iron Room was used as a Sunday School until 1953, with 150 children on their books at one time. The church itself was sparsely furnished with chairs rather than pews, which meant that when the church was not being used for services the space could be used for concerts, jumble sales and gym displays.
The is an interesting description of an outing of the Junior Sunday School to Frensham Ponds, in an article written by Rev David Coote, minister here in the 1980's, The youngsters were transported to Frensham Ponds where they were bathing was allowed under supervision. All the children's clothes were placed in one pile to keep them safe. When it came to dressing again it was discover that all the undies were from a well known High Street store. so it took a long time before the children were clothed in the correct garments.
In 1949 it was decided a hall should be built to replace the Iron Room and bring the sparsely furnished up to date. The cost was £3,200 which at first was thought unobtainable, but was reached through grants, and local community events such as jumble sales, concerts and filling jam jars with halfpennies.
When the North Street Methodist Church was demolished some of the pews and communion furniture was transferred to Stoughton. The organ replaced and the church carpeted.
To find the cache you will need to go to the above co-ordinates and find the stone laid by Mrs Welch
1. When was the stone laid? ABCD
2. How many words are there on the first line? E
3. How many letters are there in the 5th word on the third line? F
Now go to N51 15.316 W000 35.456
This will take you to another interesting building which was the home of the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment from 1876 until 1959.
What is the date set in stone above the gateway? xxGH?
The cache can be found at
N51 1E.D(H/D)(F-G) W000 3E.E(B-A-C)C
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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