Church discovers a curious tunnel trio
A mysterious series of tunnels have been discovered underneath St Matthew's Church in Blackmoor.
The three tunnels, which are built with stone walls and have a 6ft brick vault ceiling, are big enough for people to crawl around in.
They run underneath the full length of the choir and sanctuary and were only found after fears that the chancel was sinking were investigated.
Two church wardens climbed into the old heating vent under the church and knocked out one of the bricks to look inside.
There they found the beautifully structured vaults, which were designed 140 years ago by Alfred Waterhouse – the architect behind the Natural History Museum in London.
Rev Will Hughes said: “It was rather surprising – we don’t know what they were built for.
“One theory was that perhaps they were formed as a crypt, but for some reason they were not used.
“Another is the church was built upon an area of sand and it needed these arches were built underneath to make it safe.”
The vaults were found in January and the congregation are still investigating historical records in Winchester to see if they can find out more about their history.
The tunnels are in remarkable condition with no visible cracks.
The sinking of the chancel is believed to have been caused by rotting wooden slats under the church floor and on top of the vaults.
Rev Hughes said: “We can say when you are walking down the sanctuary you are walking on air.
“The congregation were mostly excited to find that we have the space down there.”
Speaking about what the church was hoping to do with the vaults in the future, Rev Hughes said: “There was a suggestion that we would put the Sunday choir down there, but really all we are doing is trying to find out more and investigate further.”
The next big event for the church is a performance by the Rushmoor Male Voice Choir on Saturday, April 5.
The group will sing popular songs from the shows starting at 7.15pm.
Afterwards a finger buffet is being held in the village hall.
Tickets cost 10 and all money raised goes towards the church funds.
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Weather for Petersfield
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 26 C
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