The tower of St Mary Magdalene, the Parish Church of Chewton Mendip, is
rightfully regarded as one of the finest in the country. It replaced the original smaller
14th century tower and was built in the Perpendicular style. Work began in 1440 and
it was completed in about 1540. The tower rises 126 feet, with the pinnacles adding
a further 15 feet, and is the fourth highest on a church in Somerset after Taunton's
St Mary Magdalene, Glastonbury's St John and St Cuthbert in Wells. The tower
and the interior fan vault stand as testimony to the prosperity that the sheep,
cloth and wool trades brought to the community.