Is Minsden Chapel haunted by a ghostly monk that clanks around in spectral shackles? Ok, maybe I took a little bit of creative license with the shackle part, but a monk has been alleged to wander through the crumbling ruins.
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Built in the 14th century, Minsden Chapel was in use through the 18th century. However, because of decades of neglect, the building had to be completely abandoned. In the last reported wedding at the chapel, performed in the 1730s, a section of the roof fell and struck the prayer book from the curate’s hands.
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Today the crumbling chapel lacks a roof. It’s surrounded by woods, and it’s only accessible by a footpath. Given its seclusion and eerie atmosphere, it’s no wonder ghosts have been sighted at the chapel—but are they real?
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Many instances of paranormal activity has been reported. Music coming from the ruins. Ghostly bells tolling through the night, despite having been stolen in the 1700s. It becomes more interesting when glowing crosses and the ghost of a murdered nun are thrown into the mix.
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However, the most famous ghost is that of a monk. A monk robed in white reportedly climbs a staircase that crumbled away long ago. Those who have spotted him claim the best time to catch a glimpse of this apparition is midnight on All Hallows Eve (Halloween).
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This figure was caught on camera in 1907 by a local professional photographer, Thomas William Latchmore. Latchmore supposedly captured an image of the monk’s ghost climbing the non-existent stairs. However, not to burst any paranormal believer’s bubble, but Latchmore admitted in a 1930 interview that the image was a fake.
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Latchmore had been experimenting with double exposure when he’d captured the image. Someone had deliberately posed for him as the ghostly figure, and through double exposure, the image was created. Although Latchmore never said who posed for his camera, it’s believed local prankster and Latchmore’s friend, Reggie Hines, stood in as the ghost.
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In the 1940s, paranormal investigator, Peter Underwood, spent a night at the chapel. He claimed to have heard music and watched as a cross on the wall glowed. However, he purported that the glowing cross could have been a trick of the eye from the moonlight hitting the cross. There had been a full moon that night.
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Despite hoaxes and debunked glowing crosses, Minsden Chapel remains a site of fascination. It’s ghostly legends live on and sightings continue. Maybe, to really find out the truth, you need to visit Minsden Chapel on Halloween night to try and catch a glimpse of it’s ghastly monk.
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Further Readings:
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Kat Devitt 
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