St Peter & St Paul
East Harling, Norfolk
The first thing the visitor will notice about East Harling's church is the very distinctive pinnacled wooden and lead cased spirelet, or fleche, crowning the tower.
St Ethelbert's is a charming rural church set in picturesque Norfolk countryside.
It is Grade I listed and has no power or water supply. Heating is provided from a wood-burning stove and lighting from oil-lamps. The organ is pumped by hand at all services!
The church dates from the 12th century and retains a particularly fine Norman arched entranceway. Much beloved by the local farming community, the church is focal point at key times of the year, notably for Harvest Festival and the Christmas Carol Service. For the latter, the local farmers surround the church with their tractors to provide illumination. The local pub donates beer and wine, and parishioners bake mountains of sausage rolls and other snacks. Needless to say, the church gets packed and late-comers have standing room only.