Church of St Michael, Raddington

The Church of St Michael stands in the small parish of Chipstable, Somerset, on the edge of the Brendon Hills. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, it is one of England’s most important medieval churches and holds Grade I listed status. The stone tower, added in the 13th century, was repaired in 1695 and its surface renewed in the 20th century. Four bells once hung here, two cast in the 1370s, until they were removed around 1971. The oldest windows date from the 14th or 15th century and share the same period as the bells, which were cleaned and re-installed in 1986. Inside, the nave walls conceal medieval wall paintings beneath later plaster. The chancel screen is also from the 14th century, standing between the nave and the altar area. The font is made of Purbeck marble and belongs to the 13th century. Above, the roof bosses include a carved Green Man, a figure often linked to ancient woodland traditions. The church belongs to the benefice of Wiveliscombe and the Hills, part of the Tone deanery. Visitors find a quiet country church with thick stone walls and a peaceful atmosphere. The tower rises simply above the nave, its surface smooth from the 20th-century render. Inside, the nave feels spacious, with plastered walls hiding centuries of decoration. The chancel screen frames the altar, its medieval craftsmanship still clear. The font stands near the entrance, its Purbeck marble dark against the lighter stone. The Green Man in the roof offers a glimpse of older symbolism, quietly preserved above the congregation.