Location:
This 1852, Episcopal, Gothic Chapel
is located on Highway 16, between the towns of Madison and Flora, in Madison
County, Mississippi.
Address:
674 Mannsdale Road ·
Madison,
Mississippi 39110.
Web-Site: chapelofthecrossms.org
DESCRIPTION:
This brick chapel is a Gothic-style
masterpiece, complete with a pointed arch front doorway and with sharply-tipped
windows. This chapel was built by Mrs. Margaret Johnston, in memory of
her husband, and was finished in 1855, complete with French stained glass
windows, a pipe organ, a baptismal font made from one stone, altar and
communion rail.
One hundred and fifty years later,
Chapel of the Cross is going strong as a congregation, actively practicing
their Christian faith, offering opportunities to serve Christ and grow
in the Christian faith.
"The Chapel of the Cross welcomes
all to our Web site and to our church in the glade. The Chapel grounds
are generally open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The parish family invites newcomers
to visit with us on-line and on-site and to please contact
us if we may provide additional information or assistance."
MANIFESTATIONS:
Chapel of The Cross and its graveyard
are locked up tightly at 6 p.m. to not only prevent vandalism, but to
give the ghosts their privacy. Stories of the past explain some of the
hauntings of this place, which is still a place for the spiritually restless.
1) A young woman in her early 20s,
is seen crying inconsolably near a young man's grave, a Henry Vick. She
vanishes when the living approach her. In 1857, the daughter of Mrs. Margaret
Johnson, Helen was totally in love and engaged to be married to a Henry
Vick, who was killed in a duel just a few days before the wedding. Helen
spent hours at his grave, crying, talking to his grave stone. She finally
was able to cope, after a trip to Europe, and later married a minister.
A part of her never was healed; her longing for her dear Henry. It's possible
that what is seen is an emotional impression of this extremely painful
time for grief-stricken Helen, or it could be her- still weeping and grieving,
unable to let go and go to the other side.
2) The Organ has been played late
at night, when everything was locked up tight. The reason is unknown.
3) Non-stop, manic giggling fills
the air at times, and blood stains appear now and then on the Chapel's
stone floor. An apparition is seen going straight through the front wooden
door and the locked iron gate protecting the door. Many years ago, the
caretaker, in charge of Chapel Of The Cross, mentally snapped, and chopped
off the head of his mentally unbalanced wife, right there in the Chapel.
After clearing up the bloody mess, the caretaker hung himself on the Chapel's
rafters.
4) Two apparitions were seen opening
up the wooden door, going right through the locked iron gate, which protects
the door, and climbing up a tree to sit together for a time before melting
into thin air. Maybe, these two spirits could be Helen and Henry, trying
to live together on earth. No one knows who they are for sure.
Still Haunted?
Yes. The Chapel of The Cross and its
graveyard are locked at night so the restless spirits mentioned above
can have their privacy without being disturbed by the living. All Photos from ChapeloftheCrossms.org |
