Christ Church, Purley
The Parish Church of Purley (Christ Church) was commenced in 1877, when the foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Tait on the 14th of April, and consecrated a year later. It was intended to be a Chapel of Ease to St. John's, Old Coulsdon, and to seat 350 people. The funds were raised by public subscription, mainly through the efforts of John Henry Smith, Esq., of Purley Bury, and the cost was £5000.
Inside the church the apse is distinctly Norman, the arches and windows Gothic or Perpendicular, the Clerestory window Square or Old English, and the pillars Norman. One interesting part inside the Church is at the west end door where a very good imitation of a Saxon pillar can be seen, and a genuine one is in Southwark Cathedral in the ambulatory. The pillars are usually very slender, and appear to be strengthened by several round slender pillars, but actually are separate and could be easily removed and not in any way weaken the structure. A sheet of paper can be passed completely round the two pillars at the west door.
The stained glass windows have been termed at various times to be " ugly," " beautiful," " most modern," etc., but when you come to examine them at close quarters some really wonderful colours are seen. A peculiar feature is if you look at the figure of St. Peter you will notice that the artist has made him appear to be a sufferer from goitre. However, the Church Council realise the window is a valuable piece of old stained glass and have had it suitably insured.
The New Bell was placed in the bell turret in 1937 and was subscribed for by the children of the Parish, who gave several pantomimes to aid the subscription list. It was made by that well-known firm of bell founders.
The church organ is two manual, tracker action, and has seven stops on the Swell, seven on the Great, three Couplers, and two stops on the Pedal. The Pedal Board is radiating and concave. The Swell is controlled by what is known as a "kick swell." The smallest pipe is about 3 ins. long and no thicker than an ordinary lead pencil, the largest is 16 ft. and a foot square.
Go to the co-ordinates given and inspect the fine front door, it has A vertical panels on each side and a total of B hinges.
Then walk round to the left and look at the side door (By the bench), it has C vertical panels and D hinges.
The cache can be found at
N51 20.BCA W000 06.(A-2)(D+1)(B-3)
You'll need to be stealthy to grab this one, it's a busy area.
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