St Peter is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Although only formally declared redundant in 1969, it had gradually fallen out of use during the course of the 20th century. The Palgrave family, most closely associated with the parish, died out in the 1730s, and the land was bought by the Felbrigg Estate. As Derek Palgrave's excellent guide book noted, by now there were only two inhabitants of North Barningham, and the church was nearly derelict, a state it was to endure until the 1890s. The restoration at this time made it safe and sound, but fortunately did not overwhemingly Victorianise it. But lack of use resulted in a decision in the late 1960s to demolish it, and plough the land under. Enter the redoubtable Billa Harrod and the Norfolk Churches Trust, who supported local people to save the building, and, over the course of the next two decades, to make it beautiful again. It became vested in the care of the CCT in 1976.(Taken from The Norfolk churches site)
