This large redundant church near Skidbrooke has been declared a ‘paranormal paradise’ by Britain Express and is, apparently, a hot spot both for forces of the beyond and their fervent worshippers. The same article claims sightings of a ghost monk, and Retford Ghost Hunters claim to have captured him on film.

‘Parapsychologist’ and ‘trance medium’ David Wharmby alleged to have seen cylindrical rods floating above the church and ghosts of infants moving among the gravestones. 

The church has not been used for Christian worship since 1973 and is isolated, making it a tempting and typical spot for such things. Since at least 2004, there have been local reports of lights in the abandoned church at night, and (possibly attendant) evidence of vandalism during the day. Several sources, including Lincolnshire Live and Paranormal Places UK, allege that stories of Satanists conducting rituals at the church date back to the 1970s, and apparent animal sacrifices have regularly been found there.

From a sceptic’s perspective, a ghost monk and some errant floating babies hardly qualify St Botolph’s Skidbrooke for the title of ‘Demon Church’, bestowed upon it in the 2010s – especially not when the Green Lady of Thorpe Hall is just down the road with a much more memorable origin story. The authors of Paranormal Places UK finish their report on the church with a sobering statement:

‘We also have strange goings on in our locality too, youths setting fire to stuff (usually wheely bins) in the local mill ruins and woodland, but I am pretty sure they aren’t Satanists.’

At most, at present, it is the site of contemporary legend, and not of a fully-fledged folktale. Sean McNeaney’s YouTube channel, History and Folklore, includes this video from 2021.

The church, a Grade I listed building, is currently in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust and is not open to visitors, though the graveyard is open and the church can be seen and walked around. There are discrete security cameras due to past vandalism. If you visit, please treat the building and surrounding area with respect.

Words by ANNA MILON