The village of North Waltham is located SW of Basingstoke. St Michael’s was substantially rebuilt in 1865-66 by John Colson. Faced in flint, with ashlar dressings and red tile roofs, it comprises a chancel with a N vestry, and a nave with a S porch and a N aisle. A bell turret rises over the W bay of the nave. The N arcade, although rebuilt by Colson, retains some late 12thc. stonework. A loose 12thc. pillar piscina is located in the S porch.

The manor of North Waltham belonged to the bishops of Winchester, but has no entry in the Domesday Survey. The advowson of the church was confirmed to the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester, in 1189 but had reverted to the bishopric by 1284.

In 1831 the seating in the nave was augmented by galleries. Schematic plans of that date show a S porch, a vestry room at the W end of the N aisle, and the two circular piers of the N arcade.

By 1865 the chancel had fallen in and it was decided that the walls could not support a new roof. As work progressed ‘it was hoped that some parts of the old church might be retained. But as the work of necessary demolition went on, it became evident that the whole must be rebuilt’ (Hampshire Chronicle, 19 May 1866, 5). According to VCH (1911), while the nave was completely rebuilt, the chancel was repaired.

VCH (1911) stated that before 1865 the N arcade comprised two bays, yet plans of 1831 (see History, above) show three bays. It is therefore clear that, despite statements to the contrary, the medieval church had a three-bay arcade.

The same VCH entry (1911) considered the westernmost pier (pier 2) to be completely modern, while the easternmost pier (pier 1) and the responds included some original stonework. Certainly, only the E respond and easternmost pier (pier 1) capitals incorporate original stonework, confirming their original form. This is very similar to the capitals of the arcades at nearby Overton. These have been dated c.1180, but the presence of keel mouldings might push both closer to c.1190.

The loose pillar piscina in the porch was not mentioned by VCH (1911), Pevsner (1967) or Bullen et al (2010). Although there is a 14thc. piscina in the church, the loose piscina may also have come from St Michael's. It seems to date from the early 12thc.