St. George’s Church, York

On George Street stands the Roman Catholic Church of St George, across from the site of an earlier 16th century St George’s Church which fell into ruin. With the graveyard (which still survives) of this original St George’s was thought to be buried Richard “Dick” Turpin (Died 7 April 1739). In his ‘Haunted Churches’ (1939), Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965) describes a tradition of St George’s being haunted by Turpin in the form of a white rabbit. ‘THERE is a curious rumour regarding St. George’s Church, York. It is said that, occasionally, a phantom rabbit is seen at night, or in the early hours of the morning, scampering about the aisles. Attempts have been made to catch it, but always without success. It is supposed to be the ghost of Dick Turpin, who, according to a popular belief, was buried in the old cemetery of the church.’