The town of Melbourne in South Derbyshire has many churches of historical interest, and these Church Micros will introduce you to a few of them. Melbourne itself has some interesting historical links; Thomas Cook who is considered the founder of modern tourism was born in the town in 1808 (see the Baptist Church Micro) and in case you're wondering where the major city of Melbourne, VIC, Australia got its name from, it was so named in 1837 for Lord Melbourne, Prime Minister of Queen Victoria.
Melbourne United Reformed Church, like the Baptist Church, owes much to the spiritual legacy of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, in the 18th Century.
Prior to 1768 services and meetings were held in cottages, but during that year a small chapel was erected on Penn Lane and continued to be an independent Chapel until 1871 when the present Church was built, opening in April of that year. The adjacent schoolrooms were opened in February 1873.
When the Congregational Church in England and Wales joined with the Presbyterian Church in England in October 1972 the Church became Melbourne United Reformed Church.
The cache is a micro hidden nearby. Please exercise extreme stealth and replace carefully as found.
An additonal waypoint is provided for the cottages endowed by Thomas Cook. His birthplace was opposite. Nearby streets are named Thomas Cook Close and Selina Street.
Bonus information there is a prominent foundation stone at the front of the main church building (visible from the pavement), what is the last digit of the date? Call this bonus digit A.
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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.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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