Church leaders in York say the Christmas display at one of the city's tourist attractions could expose children to "evil forces".
Instead of the usual Father Christmas, visitors to Satan's Grotto at York Dungeon are greeted by a man dressed as the Devil with a red face and horns.
"We've written to the attraction saying we would prefer if it they did not do it," said the Reverend Roger Simpson.
York Dungeon said the display was not to be taken too seriously.
As well as meeting the alternative Santa, visitors to the grotto are handed "gifts" such as severed fingers, and can write on a scroll to sign their souls away.
Mr Simpson, from St Michael-le-Belfrey in the city centre, said concerns were raised at a regular meeting with colleagues from across York.
It is all tongue-in-cheek and our visitors love it
York Dungeon
These included clergy from Baptist, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches.
"It is not just complaining for the sake of it," he continued.
"There are real evil forces and we in our work come across people who are damaged seriously through their involvement with occult forces.
