North Newton. St Michaels Church Somerset. Mucker Movies

The Church of St Michaels  comprises an undivided chancel and nave with north and south aisles, and a north tower above a porch. The proportions of the building and part of the north wall of the nave apparently survive from the 11th century. Some rebuilding took place in the 15th century at the west end. The east window is of the 15th or early 16th century and in 1840 the church retained square-headed windows of the same period.  The lay rectors were regularly presented in the 16th and 17th centuries for failing to maintain the church.  In 1663 it was said to be ruined and to have been so for some years, and the parishioners received support from the parishes of the diocese to pay for its rebuilding.  After 1823 a long south transept at the west end of the nave was removed.  Later in the century north and south aisles of three bays were built, the north known as the Maunsel aisle and the south built by Sir Alfred Slade in 1868,  possibly by the architect who was extending Maunsel House the same year. In 1840 the church had a west gallery with an outside staircase.  Communion rails dated 1635 were said to have been removed to the Priory, Chilton Polden.  There is a plain octagonal medieval font. The tower contains one bell dated 1670,  recast in 1938.  The church possesses a small Elizabethan cup and cover.  The registers date from 1695 and are complete