St Mary's Church, Whitby arch is a Jacobean pew. There is a monument to Sir Richard Cholmley who died in 1631. Two significant land slips due to broken drainage and torrential rain, the first occurring in November 2012, have placed the churchyard, and properties below the cliff, in significant jeopardy. Whitby town councillor Steve Smith stated the church was in no danger, having been built on solid rock. Human remains have fallen onto the street below, and pathways on the cliff-side of the church have been closed. Bram Stoker used St Mary's Church graveyard as the setting for a scene in his novel, "Dracula":
Dracula in popular culture legend. While the story is based on the historical 15th century ruler of Wallachia, it also draws inspiration from the vampire legends that surround the Wallachian Prince. Gabrielle Estres’ novel "Captive" retraces the life of Vlad Țepeș, the Wallachian ruler who inspired Bram Stoker's "Dracula". The book combines historical facts and contemporary 15th century pamphlets with the vampire lore created by Stoker. A version of Dracula (who hates the name and is known as Vlad Tepesh) appears first as a supporting character in the "Night Huntress" series by Jeaniene Frost, then in a more central role as the protagonist's love