Barton Turf, St Michael & All Angels: a Heavenly Hierarchy

Situated three-quarters of a mile south-west of the village of Barton Turf on the Norfolk Broads, is St Michael & All Angels. I like to approach it by way of this path that cuts across the fields. It is always with considerable anticipation that I approach the handsome tower. By contrast, years ago, when I first visited here, there was a pig farm next door, which reeked to high heaven and the church was resoundingly locked and unwelcoming. However, nowadays the pig farm is a distant memory and since the tenure of Sandra Ellison (who took over as vicar in 2005), this is an exemplary church in terms of being open, accessible, welcoming and offering really clear interpretation for visitors. It even has a toilet now!

There are many things of interest to discover here, but the church's obvious treasure is the exquisitely painted fifteenth century rood screen depicting the Nine Orders of Angels (flanked by three female saints). Such a subject on a rood screen is unusual as the angelic hierarchy was more commonly represented through the medium of stained glass. When the cultured Rev. William Gunn travelled abroad in 1794 extensive work on the interior was undertaken and it is serendipitous that he returned to Norfolk just in time to prevent the workmen from painting over the Rood Screen. In stark contrast to the horror show of a 'restoration' inflicted on the screen at Harpley Church, once again Barton Turf was blessed, when, in 1985, conservation expert Pauline Plummer worked on the screen (she also worked with great finesse on the Despenser Reredos in Norwich Cathedral). Here, it is the photographs that do 'the talking'. If you are able, I do urge you to pay the church a visit. I am very confident you will find it a richly rewarding experience. 

From left to right: St Apollonia; St Zita; Powers; Virtues; Dominions; Seraphim

From left to right: Cherubim; Principalities; Thrones; Archangels; Angels; St Barbara

The Fallible Flaneur <*(((((><(