Church Road, Barton Turf Barton Turf Wroxham
01692 536132

Benefice News  

On 31 July 2016 we welcomed Revd David Smith and his wife Revd Angela Smith to our Benefice. The Institution and Induction service was presided over by the Bishop of Norwich and the Archdeacon of Norfolk.

Church Information

St Michael and All Angels is a fine old 14th Century Norfolk church with an historically important rood screen. This beautiful peaceful church is situated like many others away from the village, about 15 minutes walk from Barton Staithe. From Barton Staithe walk up the road, turn left at the village sign then take the second turn on the right for the church, a walk of just over a mile. We are open between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. The well known Rood Screen has the complete Nine Orders of Angels and one of the other panels shows St Appollonia, the patron saint of dentists. Literature about the screen is available at the church. A steep climb up the tower, by arrangement, rewards you with a magnificent view of the Norfolk coast from Trimingham to Yarmouth. Please make a cup of tea/ coffee if you so wish when you visit and sign the visitors book. We also have a toilet.

Prayer Corner

There is a Prayer Corner in St Thomas' Chapel. Prayer requests can be hung on the 'tree' and are read during Morning Prayer on a Thursday.

Access

There is a moveable ramp enabling access to the Chancel. A wheelchair can be found in the Belfry should it be required.

Items for Sale

There is a range of items for sale. A comprehensive Church Guide is available, price £3 and a detailed guide of the Rood Screen, price £5.There are a number of other leaflets and prayers available, some free of charge.

Children's Corner

We have children's corner where toys, books and colouring sheets can be found. Activity bags are also which can be used elsewhere in the church.

Church Trail

"Through all the changing scenes of life", take a walk round the church with friends through the ages.             A children's trail is also available and can be taken away.

History Project

If you have any information about Neatishead, Irstead or Barton Turf relating to the time before, during and after WW1 we would be most interested to hear from you.  Please contact [email protected].

Parish Magazine 

The Parish Magazine is available to download. It contains information about services and events in other churches and villages. See heading 'pages and links'.

Food Bank

We are a collection point for the Norwch Foodbank which gives three days of emergency food to individuals and families in crisis. See heading 'pages and links'.

Bell Ringing

There is a ring of six bells, Friday night is practice night and for details please ring 01692 536183

Church Wardens

Mrs Barbara Pilcher 01692 536132  

 

Shoals Road Irstead Norwich
(01692) 630580

A warm and peaceful welcomes you to Irstead Church which would normally be open daily during daylight hours.  However because of the current situation from Monday 2nd November, will only be open from 10am-3pm every Wednesday, with a short said Holy Communion service at 10am.

Church History
St Michael's is basically a 14th century church (probably a reconstruction on the site of a 12th century church) with a 15th century South Aisle, so there has been 600 years of worship and prayer here. The walls are built of flint with stone and brick dressings. The nave and chancel are thatched with local reed and sedge capping with a traditional decoration of split hazel.

Above the South porch is a modern sculpture of St Michael fighting the serpent  (dragon like), then entrance to the church is by a very old oak door with a decorative ironwork plate which date from about 1290. Arabic numerals can be seen on the inside of the door which may represent the carpenter's numbering. Norman fragments on the inside of the north (now blocked up) and south doorways can also be seen.

Irstead History
During the last few years Irstead PCC has been exploring the history of  St Michael's, the village of Irstead and its people. A booklet entitled "Irstead Life and Times" about the life of Alan Cox, now 89 years, born and brought up in Irstead, is on sale in the church and to whom we owe much of the information collated for our archives.   Regular exhibitions about Irstead are held in the church during Open Churches Week in August (see above)..

To mark the Centenary of the First World War we have become part of Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf Community Heritage Group .  Their two year project entitled "Living through World War 1 in three Norfolk Broadland Villages - Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf" undertook meticulous research to establish all those from the villages who served their country during WW1 and who are now remembered on a memorial plaque at the New Victory Hall in Neatishead which was dedicated in November 2015.   Visit the project's website to find our more information about the project and the men researched.  A further event to commemorate the end of World War One was held during Remembrance Weekend, 9th, 10th and 11th November 2018.

We are interested in all historical information (photos, memories, documents) relating to life in Irstead, to borrow or copy, in order that we may then use the information in displays or keep in our archives, so please use the email contact on this page to get in touch.

Children's Guide
Neatishead Primary School (in the next village) have written a guide to our church especially for children and their families.  Follow the trail and take the booklet home to remind you of your visit.  Unfortunately this is currently not available.

Dragon Trail
St Michael's is part of the local Dragon Trail which includes St Benedict's Church at Horning, St Catherine's Church at Ludham and St Benet's Abbey.  Unfortunately leaflets are not currently available.

Parish Magazine
The NIB, our Parish Magazine, available to download, see left.  Find out about local events in Irstead, Neatishead and Barton Turf and the other villages in our Benefice.