Church of St Michael, Stawley

The Church of St Michael in Stawley stands on the edge of the village green in Somerset. Built in the 13th century, it replaced an earlier Norman church whose herringbone-patterned walling remains in the nave. Most of the present structure dates from the early 16th century, funded by local farmer Henry Howe, whose name appears on a scroll above the door. The tower, added later, bears the coat of arms of the Poulett family with three swords. The church register begins in 1528, and despite Victorian repairs in 1873, the building still looks much as it did in medieval times. The church is worth visiting for its well-preserved medieval fabric and its unusual six-bell peel. The extra bell, moved from Maperton in 2007, joins the existing five in the three-stage west tower. Though once part of a larger benefice, the parish now belongs to the newly formed West Tone group. The Grade I listing recognises its historical importance and architectural quality. Local farmer Henry Howe’s role in funding the church is still remembered today. Inside, the nave shows traces of the earlier Norman building. The tower’s three stages rise above the west end, its Poulett coat of arms clearly visible. The 1528 register records centuries of parish life. The six bells ring from the medieval tower, their sound carrying across the village. The churchyard, with its simple gravestones, adds to the quiet atmosphere of this Somerset village.