Our  churches

The original village of Charlton Musgrove was clustered on the high ground upon which The Church of St Stephen was built in around 1300, most likely on the site of an earlier church . The first Rector, named Philip de Halstead, was appointed in 1322 and an unbroken record of his successors can be seen in the church. The chancel was the first part of the church to be built, followed by the nave, in different stone,  later in the 14th century. The west tower was added a century later.

The church has undergone many alterations over the years. The rood screen is long gone, but its access door can still be seen in the north wall above the pulpit. The porch was added in the 18th or 19th centuries using 15th century timbers that were most likely salvaged from Stavordale Priory which fell to ruin after the Reformation, but which was later restored to private home.

In 2020, with the aid of a National Lottery grant, the church roof was renovated, a simple kitchen was built in the belfry and a lavatory cubicle was created against the north wall.

The church has not always been as well maintained as it is today. In 1847, the great bell fell broken from the tower and lay undisturbed on the belfry floor for 100 years. It was recast and rehung in 1948. 

After the plague struck Charlton Musgrove in 1553 (eight victims were buried in St Stephen's churchyard in November and December of that year) the population of the village began to migrate towards Barrow, about 1.5 miles to the north-east. 

Whether or not the plague was the primary cause of the migration is disputed. But whatever the cause, by the late-18th century the majority of the population was living in Barrow and Southmarsh. It was to serve this community, and to save them a long walk to St Stephen's every Sunday, that the church of Saint John was built as a chapel-of-ease in 1878. 

An increase in the church-going population may also have inspired the building of St John's. In 1851, the average congregation at Sunday afternoon services at St Stephen's was reported to be 150 adults and 24 children,  a crush that whould have left standing room only in the church, with late-comers spilling out into the churchyard.

The cemetery and chapel of St John's were presented by Mrs. E. F. Davies (née Leir) as a memorial to her husband the Reverend L.C. Davies, the Rector from 1864 to 1876. St John’s is built of stone in a 13th century style. It was designed by C.E. Davis of Bath and comprises a chancel and nave with a southern bell tower. A font was added to the church in 1952.