This is a micro geocache, containing a logbook only. It is placed outside the church grounds. Many thanks to Juzkrewzin who left this container in another cache and I swapped it out.
On our first visit, we met a friendly gardener who opened the church up for us so we were able to look inside. One of the first things we noticed was the old visitor book which dates back to 1938. Upon reading it, it was like going back in time! The current Reverend (who began serving the church in 2011) is also the first female Reverend the church has ever had since 1278 AD! If you get the opportunity it is definitely worth a look around inside and watch out for the church mouse who is a resident towards the back behind the curtains!
More information for this quite stunning church was gained from Simon Knott and can be found on the Norfolk Churches site and below:
"If I tell you that this church is set on the outskirts of Long Stratton, you might fear some dreary suburbia, housing estates and light industry; but nothing could be further from the truth. St Michael sits sleepily at the end of a long, narrow country lane, with only a converted barn for company. The slightly truncated tower with its jaunty little bell turret is a landmark from the A140. Close up, it is idyllic, surrounded by high-hedge fields and full on this early June morning with the shimmer of bird song. A typical small country church with evidence of most medieval centuries.
The font is 15th century, but something in the quality of the stone has allowed the moisture to soak through and reveal itself in the form of green damp on the outside. This is much more attractive than it sounds, giving it a real rustic, ancient feel.
There are a number of other medieval survivals. The most interesting are probably the benches, which are plain and simple, except for two that have figures carved in relief of the sides, in shallow niches. One of them is obviously a Bishop. There is also a scattering of 14th and 15th century glass fragments, collected together in one window. At the centre is the face of the Risen Christ shown, as is conventional, with a forked beard. There are two brasses, one from just before the Reformation and one from just after.
Perhaps the most interesting glass in artistic terms is the set of figures from the 1850s by Joseph Grant. In this out of the way place they are curiously pre-ecclesiological, their style as much the taste of the artist as that of any convention. I like St Margaret best.
Today, St Michael is in the same benefice as its urban neighbour, Long Stratton, and each Sunday it hosts an early Book of Common Prayer Communion, ensuring it a regular congregation of a dozen or more. The nice lady conceded that they weren't as 'modern' as the community up the road, which will probably be enough to ensure the survival of St Michael as a working church."
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