The Para-Historical Research Group

The haunted Belfry Tower above, the Church from the front, below.

History of The Ghost girl of Aquia Church

The church was built around 1730 on the site of an older church which probably burned down. The story goes that Sometime during the revolution, a 22 year old woman who worked at the church was accosted by several soldiers or highwaymen (criminals) and taken into the belfry, where she was murdered.  The Belfry was either being finished or rebuilt at the time and therefore off limits to the parishoners and church workers.  At some point, apparently years later around 1799, a female skeleton was found in the belfry walls (there are church records verifying this), blond still adhered to the skull.  It seems hard now to comprehend these days how a young girl could disappear in this manner without a manhunt ensueing, but this seems to be exactly what happend.  It is possible that the girl was not from the area or an orphan staying at the church and working there. Either way, history seems to have forgotten the girl and all the related details in of her murder.  Whats important is that starting in the early 1800's, sightings of the girl were reported.  Others heard sounds of a scuffle in the belfry, of people running up and down the belfry stairs. There reports of a local man who went there alone one night and was found dead the next day (i think this is nonsense, theres no church record of it). There is another report which seems to have creedence. A wealthy widow took an interest in the girls case and the hauntings around the time of the Civil War.  While walking around the church with the pastors, the woman was apparently slapped across her face by an unseen hand.  In any event, the sightings continue to this day. The most recent was an odd event which took place in 2004. An EMT squad was called to a house near the church after a homeowner had called police to say that "a young blond girl in a white gown was outside her window, barefoot, and holding her throat".  Police and EMTs arrived together, the police went ahead first to check out the area. They found nothing, and police officers were mystified to find no foot prints (heavy rains had made the yard a mudbath).  Theres a blog entry online from one of the EMTs whod responded to the scene.  I verified that the woman who posted the blog did work at the town's volunteer rescue squad. I attempted to email the woman but was not successful. Im still trying to get in contact, ill keep the site posted. Apparently other EMTs had experiences around the church but I cant find any reports about it.  An online search reveals several reports from ghost hunters whove investigated the church and encountered odd events including equipment failing inexplicably and personnel having "bad vibes" in the back of the church cemetery.  One gal several years ago was apparently chased into her car by "glowing white orbs" as she attemtped to take photos in the back of the cemetery. 

Investigation results

I went to the church in March 2008 at about 1am. I spent several hours walking the grounds, then i lost my digital handheld audio recorder and hadda go back through again to trace my steps (i found it...at the back of the cemetery). I didnt find much in the way of EVP. I have posted here the coolest pics, most of them are covered in orbs, whatever this may mean (im not sold that orbs are anything more than particles reacting to the flash as many tests have shown but lets not get into that now).  I personally never encountered any negative vibes, quite the contrary actually, I didnt feel unwelcome at all. This seems bizarre, considering that i was alone, in an old cemetery, and had already read alot about this church and the area. I thought I'd be at least nervous or edgy while there alone at that late hour.  And its interesting that I found that little tape recorder at all, it was pitch black in there, i had to lighten these photos alot to even be able to show them here.  At one point id almost given up finding the thing then something sort of told me (cant explain it, wont bother) to take a left turn and go down this row og graves again. There it was, lying in front of me, still rolling and the little faint red light still lit. As weird as it sounds, I really get the feeling that whatever is there doesnt care for females, dont ask me to explain it, thats just my feeling. Note that its mainly females who seem to have bad experiences here. In any event, just a thought.  I will keep the site posted of any new into regarding this super cool place. please see the rest of the photos below, including the awesome examples of 18th century funerary art on gravestones.

Church front, below the belfry tower.

Side of the church, facing the churchyard.

Note these exquisite grave stones, an art long forgotten these days.  These stones are rare, intact examples of the funerary art of the day. The stone at abive dates from about 1742. Its the grave of a notable doctor from the area, his family rests around him.  The stone below was so old and defaced from the elements I couldnt even make out a date, im guessing around 1700 from the style of the carvings. 

A cool site and a must-see for those interested in battlefield hauntings

THis was about the only photo with no darn orbs all over it....

 This was my view coming up the long driveway from the highway below...spooky! But from the minute I got out of the car, I felt strangely at ease.

See our investigation results in the middle of this page.

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