Our Churches

We have two Parish Churches, one is in Chipstable, the other is in Raddington, they are of unique and very different charm. They are for the most part old and weather-beaten, going back well nigh to Saxon times, both have fine towers and grand peals of bells.

The Church is delightfully situated at the centre of a peaceful village, set among green hilly pasture and woodland coves.

The first Rector of whom we have mention is "Stephen, Parson of Cyppestable" in 1248, but he was by no means the first, as the Doomsday Book notes a Church at Cipestable in the time of King Edward.

The old nave and the present tower probably date from about 1239, the external evidence furnished by the tower points to this date.

The present Nave of the Church (rebuilt in 1869) stands precisely where the old Nave Stood, and is thus practically a reproduction of it. The Tower and two of the main pillars were retained, and the form of the Church then, as now, was twin aisle. The beautifully carved oak bench ends were also retained.

Both the old and the newer parts of the Church are in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles. In the rebuilding of the Twin Aisle, Chancel and Porch, building stone of the neighbourhood was used supplementing the usable material from the old Church

"Balanced on the top of a small round hill looking like a picture in a fairy tale"

Such a situation is significant -- as is the dedication itself to the saint, Michael. Two things can be deduced there-from:

1 That this ancient sacred site was formerly a pagan one; all st. Michael's sites are likely to have been such since he, it is believed was the angel who threw the Devil out of Heaven. Anglo-Saxons called him when consecrating pagan sites for Christianity.

2 That as is claimed for many if not all St. Michael's Churches, it lies directly on a Ley line -- one of those mysterious lines of energy that are believed to radiate outwards from that most hallowed of English sites -- Glastonbury. All such churches are on Tor sites overlooking farm lands.

The origins of this Church could go back as far as King Alfred's time, or beyond. It's style is certainly early English with just a west tower, a nave with south porch and a chancel.

There is one feature extant that could lend authenticity to such an early dating -- the stoup for Holy Water inside the porch. Such stoups were common in very early churches, went out of fashion in medieval times and returned only in the 16th century.

The Tower is 13th century restored in 1695, roughcast rendered in 20th century.

The windows are 14th/15th century.

The Main Door is 14th century and is well preserved with beautiful iron hinges and back-plates .

The bells are 14th/ early 15th century and were renovated and re-hung 1986.

You can see evidence of medieval wall painting beneath the plaster in the nave.

The Rood Screen is very old and a gem, it bears on it some of the very finest naturalistic foliage carving executed undoubtedly by the same carver as at Uffcombe. ( You can see a picture of this charming Rood Screen at the bottom of this web-page )

The ravages of time and reconstructions of dubious quality have left their marks, but despite this it retains its medieval character and great charm.