Mere, St Michael the Archangel

This church has been described as "the finest in the county, exhibiting every aspect of the 14th and 15th centuries' High Gothic of the parish church at its best". There is a record of a church in Mere in 1091. In the 14th century two chapels were built north and south of the chancel. These were altered at various times until the building was out of proportion and it became necessary to remodel the centre of the church. This took place between 1449 and 1463 and left the church substantially as it is today. The founder of the south chapel, Sir John Bettesthorne, was buried there in 1398 and a fine brass covers his tomb.

A 15th century oak screen encloses the chancel in which there are interesting choir stalls, bench ends and misericords. Between the chancel and the south chapel is a Purbeck marble tomb which may be that of John, 1st Lord Stourton who died in 1463. In the sanctuary is an alabaster tablet of the Adoration of the Magi which is 15th century. Below and to the right of this is a niche, which may have been an Easter sepulchre.

The nave pews are nicely carved and date from 1640. They house an outstanding collection of hassocks made by local people between 1974 and 1999. The north porch has a decorated vault and outside it in a niche is a statue of the Archangel Michael. This dates from 1160. The tower is one of the earliest Perpendicular style turreted towers in the country and measures 124 feet to the top of its pinnacles. It contains 8 bells.