Haunted Churches in York England

Ghosts and Paranormal Activity in one of England’s Historic Cities

Nov 25, 2007

Hauntings and apparitions are present in many churches such as All Saints, Holy Trinity, St Mary's and York Minster.

Based on the findings of Ghost Research Foundation International (GRFI), York is reputed to be the most haunted city in the world. With a turbulent history of executions and wars, it is understandable that churches and their graveyards have been a source of refuge for spirits who have not crossed to the other side. Here are the ghost stories of York churches.

Holy Trinity Church Micklegate Bar York

The headless ghost of Thomas Percy, Earl of Nothumberland, has been seen in the churchyard searching for his severed head. He was executed for treason after he led a plot against Elizabeth I. He was beheaded in 1572 and his head was placed on a pole on Micklegate Bar. Years later, his head was removed and buried in the Holy Trinity churchyard. The spirit of a nun has also been sighted.

The apparitions of two women and a child have been known to appear usually in front of the east window of the church. There are two stories about the three ghosts. One story is of a mother, her child and the nanny. The mother and child were buried miles away from each other and the nanny brought them together. Another story is the mother and child are buried in the same graveyard and the ghost is an abbess who was killed when she tried to prevent Henry VIII’s army from entering the church.

St Crux Church York

The remains of this church are now the chapel in the Shambles. Years ago there was a group of men called the Waits of York who played music while they acted as the town watchmen and announced the time. It is believed that a female ghost followed these men around and watched them perform. She would appear at St Crux and head through King’s Square then disappear at Goodramgate.

Years later, a policeman was walking his beat late at night. When he was passing by St Crux church, he heard funeral music playing. As he got nearer to the church, the doors opened and he heard the sound of people leaving. He saw nobody, though he heard the sounds. There is another regular spirit who haunts the church. He is described as a tall man who looks out the windows during the morning hours.

Quite often, the spirit of a young lady with long wavy hair is seen at the door observing funeral processions. When somebody goes near her, she disappears. It is believed that this lady is someone who may not have had a Christian burial, so she attends funerals at the church.

St. Saviours Church York

There have been reports of the ghost of a Viking who was executed at the site of the church.

St Mary’s Abbey York

The ghost of a monk nicknamed the Black Abbot is seen around the ruins of the abbey. Audible phenomena also occur; people have heard coins being counted on a table and jangling noises as the coins are emptied onto the table. Then they can hear single coins dropping one by one into a metal box.

In the early 19th century, the ghost of an army officer appeared to his sister as she was praying in the church. He had died in another part of the world. There is the spirit of a man, Dean Gale, who loved to attend services at York Minster. After he died, he has been seen sitting in the church listening to sermons. Witnesses have heard the sound of a barking dog.

York was occupied by the 9th Legion of Rome as evidenced during excavations of the foundations of York Minster. After the Romans retreated, the legion disappeared and never made it back to Rome. That is very strange!

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