There has been a church on the site since before the Doomsday Book of 1086, however only the lower part of the tower of the original remains. During 1862 the church was almost completely rebuilt to a design by the Wimborne architect, George Evans, who was responsible for four other Dorset churches.
The most distinguishing feature of the building is a parapet that extends around the whole and which is partly composed of portions salvaged from the earlier church. Hutchins, the celebrated 18th century Dorset historian, noted that part of it was dated 1530.
Inside, the building is rather plain and typically Victorian, but it is lightened by a very elaborate, brilliantly white, Caen stone pulpit, decorated with the four evangelists. Unusually, there are no external steps because it is 'built-in' and access is through a door from the vestry. There is an attractive, very upright, lectern, which is fashioned from lead and mounted on a cast-iron base. In a corner, below a most attractive stained glass window, rests the remains of a font thought to be at least a thousand years old.
There is a striking memorial in the churchyard to Philip Salkeld, who was the fourth son of the rector. He died on 10th October 1857 from wounds sustained when 'blowing the Kashmir gate' during the Indian Mutiny; an act of conspicuous gallantry for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
The Church became a Grade II listed building on the 16th August 1960
To find the cache you will need to answer the following...
1, What colour is the Crown at the entrance.
2, Ellen Still Passed away on the 13th Feb 1943 aged?
3, What date was Fontmell created? (round plaque in wall)
4, Monument - fill in the blanks - REV:XIV : ??
Letters in the colour = A
Age = B & C
Date = D, D & D
Monument = E & F
GZ is located at - N 50° 57.(C-B-E)(C-F)D W 002° 11.(E+F)(A+E)(D-F+E)
Whilst in the area you may also want to check out Traditional Cache Rambling Doris (GC2MDF4)
Extreme stealth maybe required during busy times - eg at the beginning and end of the school day.
I look forward to photos and logs of your caching fun in this lovely Dorset village.
Have fun :)
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
To view the church micro stats page, please click here