Church Micro #1966 St. Augustine Brookland Traditional Geocache
Long Man: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache, I'm archiving it.
Andy
Long Man
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Church Micro #1966 St. Augustine Brookland
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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St. Augustine Church Brookland
Your first reaction on seeing St. Augustine Church at Brookland is to look again. What is that strange structure on the ground by the front of the church? Well its actually the bell tower. Because of the soft ground of Romney Marsh it was decided that the church would not take the weight of the tower so it was not built on top of the church but was constructed on the ground next to the church. The bell tower of St. Augustine at Brookland sits next to the church
The tower and church both date to about 1260 so the bell tower is believed to have always been on the ground. The distinct shape of the bell tower is likened to a candle snuffer and at one time the weatherboarding that covers it was covered with pitch to protect it from rotting.
The church is dedicated to St Augustine who was the first Archbishop of Canterbury. The link with Canterbury continues inside the church with part of a wall painting of Thomas a Beckett on the south wall, to the right of the alter, revealed during renovation in the 1960’s.
Inside the nave the arcade pillars that take the weight of the roof lean outwards at an almost alarming angle although the movement seems to have pretty much ceased with very little movement in the last 100 years.
The church is light and airy and still has the Georgian box pews, as a reminder of a bygone class system that extended even to the church. It still has the original stone flags on the floor which just seem to add to the originality and feel of the building.
The church contains a circular lead font which is said to be the most important of the 30 leaden fonts remaining in this country. It is thought to have been French in origin and is thought to be even older than the church itself. It is not recorded how it came to be in this small church in the middle of Romney Marsh.
The church is open most days and is well worth a look inside.
Cache is a magnetic key holder disguised. If you dont sign the log book dont log it online.
There is a small parking area right next to cache
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)
nccebk 2sg sebz pbapergr raq.