The Church
MICHAELSTOW (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of Camelford, hundred of Lesnewth, E. division of Cornwall, 3¼ miles (S. W. by S.) from Camelford.
Michaelstow (Cornish: Lannvighal) St Michael is an Ancient Parish in the county of Cornwall. Other places in the parish include: Treveighan.
It is named after 'St Michael's holy place' and the parish church is dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. The River Camel runs along its eastern edge and the surrounding parishes are Lanteglos-by-Camelford, Cornwall to the north, St Breward, Cornwall to the east, St Tudy, Cornwall to the south and St Teath, Cornwall to the west
Helsbury Castle, an iron age hill fort, stands on Michaelstow Beacon half-a-mile north of the village.
The holy well in the churchyard opposite the South Door points to the church being located on an ancient site of worship.
The church consists of a chancel, nave, and north and south aisles. The south arcade has four four-centred arches, supported on monolith granite pillars; the south arcade has five similar arches and opillars. There is a south porch and a north door. The tower is 56 feet in height; it consists of three stages, and is finished with battlements and pinnacles.
Unfortunately, because of vandalism, the church is locked most of the time except when services are being held.
However, the church is well worth a visit as it has some fine stained glass windows, an impressive font and ancient carved bench ends. The tops of the supporting pillars have some finely carved details indicating a significant investment of time and money when the current church was built.
The Cache
At the headline coordinates you will see flights of granite steps up to the church past the war memorial.
The cache coordinates can be found from the following information:
1. How many steps from the parking area up to the brown tower door? This gives you AB.
2. Follow the path around to the right towards the entrance porch of the church. Just after passing a large Celtic Cross Monument on your right there is a grave stone for Mary Ann Tom. She died on July C th ACDA aged BE years.
The cache can be found at N 50 34.EDB W 004 42.B(E-A)E
It is only a short 100 metre walk away but take care with kids and hounds in the lane which can be busy with local traffic.
The cache is a small click lock box in a camo bag with room for swaps and TBs.
Please Bring Your Own Pen (BYOP) and re-hide the cache carefully.
****************** ********************
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.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
****************** *******************