St Mary Magdalene's Church, Stowell, Sherborne DT9 4PE
St Mary’s became a Chapel of Ease in Charlton Horethorne parish in 2007. It is now the venue for a monthly Benefice Evensong. Special services are well attended. Jane is a very active volunteer parishioner who is in frequent communication with the rest of the benefice and also does much of the caring for the church.
The church is built of squared rubble with ashlar dressings. The oldest part of the church is the 14th-century base of the tower. The upper stages were rebuilt in 1748. Before 1834 the church had 'ancient narrow windows', perhaps of the 13th century, and coved ceilings. A gallery was erected in 1814 and enclosed in 1824. In 1834 the church was rebuilt, apart from the tower. Extensive restoration was carried out in 1890 including removal of the gallery and provision of new seating, floor, west window, and iron chancel screen. Glass by Clayton and Bell was installed in 1892.
The church, apart from the tower, was demolished in 1913, because of insecure foundations, and was replaced by the present structure, designed in the Perpendicular style. The font may date from the 13th century and a bench end in the chancel is dated 1670.