Pendle Witches Tour – Newchurch in Pendle The Church: All Saints' Church, Newchurch in Pendle The village's name, "Newchurch," comes from the church, which was a new chapel of ease to the parish of Whalley. The church is a central part of the village and its history. Construction and Features: A chapel has existed on the site since at least 1250, but the first stone church was consecrated in 1544. The present church tower is the only remaining part of that original building, while the rest of the church was rebuilt in the 17th century and completed in 1740. The "Eye of God": A unique and notable feature of the church is an elliptical shape on the western side of the tower, known as the "Eye of God." Local legend says this was installed after the witch trials to ward off evil spirits and witches. The "Witch's Grave": In the churchyard, there is a stone carved with a skull and crossbones that is popularly, though incorrectly, believed to be the grave of Alice Nutter, one of the accused witches. Historians debate this, as executed witches were typically not given a Christian burial in consecrated ground. The carving is also a common "memento mori" design, meant to remind people of their mortality. Connection to the Pendle Witches The Demdike family, one of the two main families at the center of the trials, lived in Newchurch. Elizabeth Southerns, known as "Old Demdike," was a matriarch who was regarded as a witch in the area for 50 years. Her daughter, Elizabeth Device, and her grandchildren, James and Alizon Device, were also accused.
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