 The original building began construction in 1258 when Sewal de Bovil, the Archbishop of York, stipulated that the vicar of Clarborough should have the altarage, with the toft and croft lying next to the churchyard, and the tithes of the inclosed crofts of the town.The parish church of St John the Baptist was founded in 1260 which, with Manor Farm near the church, became the focus of the village.A churchyard yew tree is possibly over 1,000 years old.