Sidestrand, St Michael's Church

St Michael's Church, Sidestrand

In 1880 the medieval church of Sidestrand, just east of Cromer, was in imminent danger of falling into the sea as erosion ate away at the North Norfolk cliffs.

The medieval church was pulled down, leaving the tower standing alone of the clifftops to act as a landmark for mariners, and a new church was built well inland, reusing many of the original stones. The medieval tower collapsed into the sea in 1916.

The New Church

The cost of the new church was around £2,000 and the expense was born by Mr Samuel Hoare, who had purchased Sidestrand Hall a year earlier. Hoare was the descendent of a Quaker banker, also named Samuel Hoare. He was made a baronet in 1899 and served several terms as an MP. His son was created Viscount Templewood in 1944.

The round (base) and octagonal (top) tower

The present church, completed in 1881, is an exact copy of the original, including its unusual west tower, round at the base and octagonal on the upper stages. The south porch is largely original, as is the chancel arch and a 15th-century cross set into the east wall of the nave.

Interior highlights include reused Jacobean panelling in the chancel and a pulpit of the same style, both made in the early 20th century. The organ case dates to around 1800. There are two medieval coffin slabs, likely made in the 13th century.

The war memorial is set in a Renaissance-style niche that was apparently discovered in an antique shop. The memorial commemorates six men who died in WWI and flanking panels bear the names of an additional four men who died in WWII. A separate memorial remembers a local man who died in Palestine in 1922.

The village war memorial

The wall plaque dedicated to Sir Samuel Hoare is well worth reading. In part, the epitaph says that Sir Samuel was:

'At Harrow School, a cricketer whose prowess is not forgotten.
In the City of London, a banker whose wise counsel men valued
In the County of Norfolk, a kindly friend and neighbour
In the House of Commons, a trusted Member of Parliament, who, after twenty years of service to his constituents, received the Freedom of the City of Norwich.
A loyal Churchman who in 1881 removed this building from the edge of the cliff to the present site and throughout a long life and in many ways laboured for the good of the Parish, the Diocese, and the Church.'

By comparison, the simple oval plaque to Sir Samuel's wife, Katharin, is understated and plain.

The rather rustic royal coat of arms dates to the reign of King George IV.

Over the south doorway is the stone figure of an angel holding a chalice. This figure is thought to have been salvaged from the east wall of the medieval church.

Sidestrand Church is one of only 124 round tower churches in Norfolk and is rare in also featuring an octagonal tower.

The church is usually open to visitors and was open when we visited. I didn't see any dedicated parking, but it was relatively easy to find a place to park along the road verge and walk to the church.