Low Thorpe Church

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Low Thorpe has generally been swallowed up by East Witton, although several dwellings remain within the original boundary. The graveyard is on the left of the lane with many headstones remaining legible despite their age. One of these graves is said to contain the body of an infant with two heads. History books reveal another example of human deformity associated with Low Thorpe. This relates the tale of a child being born in 1825, having a hare's head. The church at Low Thorpe was dedicated to St. Martin, and formerly belonged to Jervaulx Abbey. It was taken down in 1809 and its stone used in the construction of the 'new' church which stands several hundred metres to the north, at the eastern end of East Witton. This new church, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, was endowed by Thomas, Earl of Ailesbury, to commemorate the 50th year of the reign of King George III. It was restored in 1871.