Church Micro 6180 ... Stretham Traditional Geocache

Church Micro 6180 .... Stretham

Disguised, Magnetic cache in a great position to view the church. I recommend viewing this church at night, when it is lit up. The cache is just as easy to find in the dark. There is a pub close by, so stealth is required. You can get a wheelchair very close, but the cache is 6ft up, so help may be needed to retrieve. Beware Bird Poo (that's not a hint.. I mean it!)

St James' Church, Stretham, is an active Anglican church in the village of Stretham, Cambridgeshire, England. 

It occupies a central position in the village, is built in stone with tiled roof, and is almost entirely a careful Victorian reconstruction dating from 1876, incorporating parts of a much earlier building. 

The tower, 14th Century, is topped by an octagonal stone spire. Entered by a south door,  the nave is flanked by north and south aisles and transepts, and a chancel the east wall of  which is partly 12th Century. The north arcade retains its original octagonal 14th Century columns. Fragments of mediaeval and 12th Century stones are built in as features in the interior walls of the porch. 

Six bells hang in the tower, together with a fine clock by Joyce of Whitchurch (1876) which keeps perfect time; and is wound by hand each week. 

Inside, a mid- 15th Century rood screen with elaborate traceried heads divides the nave from the chancel. Sadly the 1876 restorers went to great lengths to provide elevated floor  levels in the chancel, thereby reducing accessibility. To counter this, the Communion Table is now placed in the Crossing when required.

A record board lists the Rectors from 1222, and by the south door the larger board, a fine  example of 18th Century sign writing, lists several ancient charities (now combined); the  main benefactor was the Revd. Dr. Richard Rysley, Rector of Stretham in 1553, others being Lady Effingham Howard and Mrs. Martha Digby. The charities are to help the poor and to provide education; they are still fully operational. 

In the south transept there is a good brass effigy of Dame Joan Swan who died in 1497; she was mother to two successive Rectors of Stretham, John and Richard Ryplingham. Note the wedding ring on her right hand.

A black marble slab in the chancel commemorates Anne, wife of former Rector Dr. Brunsell 1662-78 and sister of Sir Christopher Wren who was engaged on work at Ely Cathedral. Dr. Brunsell spent years in fierce and complicated litigation with the cathedral officers and others over church and tithe disputes. 
 

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