Church of St Michael, Clapton in Gordano

The Church of St Michael stands in Clapton in Gordano, a village in Somerset. Built in the 13th century, it is one of England’s Grade I listed buildings. The church was placed in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust in 1995. Though it closed in 1995, occasional services still take place. The oldest surviving part is a 12th-century tympanum, though most of the structure dates from the 13th century. The church is worth visiting for its architectural and historical importance. Its 13th-century oak screen once divided a Great Hall and Buttery in a nearby Court House. Inside, a 14th-century font and a late 17th-century monument remain. The first written record of the church comes from a 1226 agreement between William, son of Arthur de Clopton, and Richard of Keynsham Abbey. Visitors find a quiet, preserved medieval church with simple furnishings. The reredos and benches reflect its long use as a place of worship. The tympanum above the entrance is the oldest visible feature. The church sits in a peaceful Somerset village, offering a glimpse of centuries-old craftsmanship.