St Michael and All Angels Church, Barton Turf

St Michael and All Angels is the parish church for Barton Turf in Norfolk. It stands a kilometre south-west of the village, surrounded by a plantation of trees. The church is listed Grade I and is notable for its surviving medieval paintings. The building began as a Perpendicular-style structure with a tower at the west end. Its most famous feature is the late-Gothic rood screen with twelve panels.

The rood screen dates from between 1440 and 1450 and shows Flemish influence. Panels depict St Apollonia, St Zita, St Barbara, and the nine choirs of angels. Some figures, including the Dominions and Seraphim, were defaced during the English Civil War. In the South Nave are later paintings of King Henry VI, St Edmund, St Edward the Confessor, and St Olaf. The church also contains a pipe organ built in 1835 by T C Bates.

Visitors find a quiet church set among trees, with the rood screen as the main attraction. The organ remains in place, adding to the historic atmosphere. The South Nave holds the later painted figures, while the tower still rises at the west end. The church’s Grade I listing recognises its architectural and artistic importance. The surrounding plantation provides a peaceful setting for the building.