The Story
Cemetery Church is located in Berwick, PA, and is at this time unoccupied due to renovations by the new owners, Ed and Kathy. The structure was originally built as a church and was later converted into a home. Although City Lights Paranormal Society refers to this location as Cemetery Church, the building is actually nameless. When it was converted into a home, the names and records of the church were probably buried to protect the homeowner’s privacy. While it was used as a private residence for years, the owners did not fully convert the building’s structure or interior. Today it still has its original bell tower, stained glass window sanctuary, and wide-open prayer room with an alter and a baptismal tub
The ClaimsAbout a year into owning the building, Ed and Kathy could no longer ignore the possibility of paranormal activity. Their frequent and ongoing experiences backed by stories from the previous owner’s daughter could not be overlooked. The most common claim was that of the basement lights. Ed and Kathy attest that after the construction crew turned off all the power and left for the day, the basement lights would turn themselves on. Even neighbors had reported the lights going on, especially because they knew that the construction crew was meticulous about turning off the power box. Ed recounted the most disturbing moment he had after visiting the church. He was changing a light bulb in the attic, wearing three layers of sweatshirts. When he went home, he noticed three long scratch marks down his arm. He tried to remember brushing his arm along something in the attic, but when the three layers of clothing proved to be unmarked he began to think otherwise. At another time, Kathy was convinced something strange was happening when she stood on the attic steps and experienced the most chilling cold spot she ever could have imagined. Kathy and Ed were fascinated by the previous owner’s daughter when she spoke of a few key phenomena. While living at the establishment, she would hear voices in the attic while she was alone in the building, hear closet doors rattling, hear footsteps throughout the building, and, on one occasion, she witnessed a tall, dark shadow standing by the front door of the church. The final claim was obviously Kathy and Ed’s breaking point. They were having a loud conversation just inside the church doors when something suddenly silenced them. They both clearly heard footsteps coming down the attic steps toward them. The sound continued past them and proceeded to the front door which then opened and slammed shut. Completely stunned, they decided they wanted help.
|
The InvestigationThrough acquaintances Kathy and Ed got in touch with City Lights Paranormal Society. Since Joe held their acquaintance in such high esteem, he made sure to get out to the church as soon as possible. CLPS arrived at the scene on Saturday, November 21st, 2009. Investigators Kim, Olivia, Marissa, and Joe were accompanied by Kathy, Ed, and their close friend the entire evening. The investigation began immediately after setting up all the information. We did not feel the need to switch up groups throughout the night, so Olivia and Kim remained as one team while Marissa and Joe comprised the other. Throughout the night, we evenly covered the entire building as one team investigated the basement and the other investigated the first floor and attic. We all did our usual initial sweep of the building. Measuring temperature and electromagnetic fields, we found nothing out of the ordinary. A few of the claims weren’t hard to figure out. The voices in the attic were the first thing we were able to explain. Since the attic is positioned just above the chapel, the echoes from within the chapel travel through the vents that are directly connected to the attic. But, the claim says no one else was in the building; however, we were able to debunk this part of the claim as well. On either side of the old church stand homes no more than 20 yards away. If someone was standing outside on the porch holding a conversation, their voices would surely travel through the thin, wide-open church walls. We also noticed that there was no insulation behind the closet doors, which explained the suction that caused the doors to rattle. This and the holes in the front door also explained the cold draft people felt. Though some things could be explained, other claims went unanswered. Two one and a half hour sessions were assigned to each team on each of the above mentioned investigation areas. We conducted a very thorough six hour investigation. Nothing more could be done on location, so CLPS decided to pack up for the night and let the sixty plus hours of footage tell the rest of the story.
|
Digital Picture # 355 (BEFORE)
Digital Picture # 356 (AFTER)
EVP's
Joe & Marissa - First Floor - "Fine."Joe & Marissa - First Floor - GrowlKim & Olivia - Attic - "Feed the dog." |
Kim & Olivia - Attic - "Joe!"Joe & Marissa - Attic - "You're gonna die!"Joe & Marissa - Basement - "Step on in my office." |
The Debriefing
It was a pleasure for CLPS to work with Kathy and Ed to answer some of their reported claims of paranormal activity. The best part of all is the new friendship we now have with two very amazing and devoted people. It is nice to know that the doors of Cemetery Church will always be opened to us. Although some stories were explained naturally, we were able to walk away with conclusive paranormal evidence as well. It is with total confidence that City Lights Paranormal Society declares Cemetery Church haunted!