The church at Thornton is dedicated to St. Peter and dates from the thirteenth century. It has a tower, crowned by a spire, and during the mid-nineteenth century there were three bells. The living is a vicarage but seems to have been left, occasionally, in the care of a curate. The church still seems to have some early features and has undergone some nineteenth century refurbishment. During the period of the Civil War, Thornton church was sequestrated for a number of years, possibly between 1642 and 1652. During that period, the then incumbent was allowed only on fifth of the income of the vicarage.

Sources: 1846 Trade Directory, White; The Buildings of England Leicestershire and Rutland, Niklaus Pevsner and Elizabeth Williamson