Ryston / Riston / Ristuna / Ristune / West Riston

Blomefield (1805-1810) writes: "The church of Riston is dedicated to St. Michael, and stands in a field by itself about a quarter of a mile from Riston-Hall; it is built of ragg, or carr stone, and is a single pile about 33 feet in length, and 22 in breadth. At the west end of the nave, stands part of a little four-square tower, with the quoins of free stone; the upper part of the tower lies open and is broke down to the roof of the church. The chancel is divided from the body by a screen, and is in length about 30 feet, and in breadth about 27; this chancel has a roof like the nave, camerated, plaistered and covered with tile [...] In Norwich Domesday book, wrote about the beginning of the reign of King Edward I. [i.e., ca. 1272] Robert de Benhale was patron, and the rector had a house with 30 acres of glebe land, valued at 12 marks, soon after it was appropriateed to the priory of Norwich". The present font consists of an octagonal basin with thick piping along the angles all the way down to the lower base, a rim moulding atop; round moulded lower base; octagonal plinth. The font is either totally re-cut and re-tooled or a modern version of an earlier design; the lower base and plinth are modern in any case.. Plain round font cover; modern.