Church History
St Michael's is a Broadland church of character and great charm situated in the hamlet of Irstead,150m from public moorings on the River Ant just below Barton Broad on the Norfolk Broads.

A warm and peaceful welcome awaits you at our beautiful church which is open during daylight hours.

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.

"Beyond the Guide" exhibition to coincide with Open Churches Week 2013 from 3rd - 11th August.  Find out more about the history of St Michael's through  images, photos, historical documents, newspaper cuttings.  Open daily.  If you have any information about St Michael's we would be very pleased to hear from you.  Please use the email contact on this page.

Children's Guide
Neatishead Primary School (in the next village) have written a guide to our church especially for children and their families - see our photo album on this website. Do come along, follow the trail and take the booklet home to remind you of your visit.

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.  Pick up a leaflet in the church or click on the link right of the page.

Irstead Memories Exhibition
What a wonderful weekend we had in August 2011,  reuniting many former Irstead residents from days gone by.  The church was filled with laughter, memories and tears of happiness.  The exhibition is all packed away now, but not forgotten.  We are still collecting information so if you have any photographs or your family used to live in Irstead we would love to here from you.  Please follow the email link to contact us.

Parish Magazine
The NIB, our Parish Magazine, available to download, see under "News". Find out what is going on in Irstead and the other villages in our Benefice.

Messy Church
"New" for our Benefice, Messy Church will be taking place on the first Sunday of the month at Barton Turf Church from 11am-12noon.  All children and young people welcome to come along, as long as you bring your parent/guardian with you! Come along for a fun time.

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