The foundation for the church was laid in 1863 by Mrs Bland of Kippax Park. Bishop Bickerstilt consecrated it on August 10 th 1865. A lych gate was erected to the memory of Hugh Smithson, the manager of the local colliery. Originally there were eight bells, dedicated in June 1920 to mark the signing of the Peace on June 28th1919. There is now only one bell in the bell cote.
The stained glass windows include one to Revd James Bell, the vicar for thirty-three years. The east window was erected by Revd Edward Davison Bland of Kippax Park. The three lights remember the Kippax vicars, Charles Bickerdike (1828-1888) and John Davison Bland. The west window was to Edward Longbottom (1910). Some of the stained glass came from the closed church of St Aidan, Great Preston. The oak pulpit and the brass lectern were dedicated on March 31st 1919. The credence table was given in memory of Peter Moody (died 1939), and the sanctuary in which the table is placed was renovated with a bequest from Revd Charles Hutchinson. It was dedicated by the Bishop of Knaresborough on December 3rd 1966.
As you arrive at the published coordinates, you should find this cross.
On the side facing the church you will find the memorial for H and E. Convert the dates to standard British format, ie DDMMYYYY so H died on AB/CD/EFGH aged IJ and E died KL/MN/OPQR aged ST
The cache is hidden at N53 (T-J)(I-E).QH(Q-O) W01 DG.A(I-B)(N+Q)
Happy hunting!
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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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