St. Peters Roman Catholic Church In Harpers Ferry
by Emmy Vickers
Title
St. Peters Roman Catholic Church In Harpers Ferry
Artist
Emmy Vickers
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Within the quaint valley of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, situated on a peak of land that spears out into the meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, lies St. Peters Church. A grand cathedral, the most exquisite of all structures in Jefferson County, St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church is a place of reverence, a place of peace, and a place of paranormal activity.
St. Peter's Church was built well over a century ago in 1833 in a pseudo-gothic style that far outweighed the beauty of any other structures in the area. It was built upon a large tract of land donated by the Wager family.
Some reports state that the land was donated by none other than Robert Harper, the founder of Harpers Ferry. Robert's wife, Rachael Harper, is herself said to haunt the town of Harpers Ferry, overlooking the old Harper Garden in 18th century attire from the upper-most window of the Harper Home. But an article in the Virginia Free Press dated May 9, 1833 clearly states that St. Peters Church was 'built upon ground given by the Wager family'.
A multitude of religious churches were built-in Harpers Ferry between the years of 1825 and 1852, but when the Civil War struck West Virginia, St. Peters Church was the only to survive the melee undamaged. In fact, this particular place of worship switched hands 14 times during the Civil War, controlled back and forth by the Union and Confederate armies.
During this time, being the only building in the vicinity that was virtually unscathed, St. Peters Church was used as a make-shift hospital. Soldiers were wheeled in, carted in or drug in on stretchers, and as was the case in harsh war times, not all of them walked back out.
One such soldier, whose story, the most famous ghost story of the St. Peters Church in Harpers Ferry, has become quite famous over the last century, did not make it out of the church alive. In fact, he barely made it in.
He was a young Catholic boy who was moderately wounded upon arrival, and happily content to know that his injuries would be treated within a place that worshiped his own faith. His wounds being less severe than many of the others around him, he was left outside until later that evening. His injuries worsened as the minutes ticked by, but he maintained that in his faith he would be saved.
By the time he was lifted to be carried inside St. Peters Church, the young boy's life was slipping away. Just as his near lifeless body was brought over the threshold of the church, he whispered faintly "Thank God, I'm saved." Those words would accompany the boy's last breath.
To this day, visitors in the twilight hours have often claimed to see a faint, golden glow over the threshold of the cathedral, hearing a weak voice whisper
"Thank God, I'm saved."
Father Costello, the priest who ran St. Peters Church during the Civil War days and personally treated the soldiers, is also believed to haunt Harper Ferrys St. Peters Church. Visitors have relayed multiple accounts of passing by St. Peters Church on their way to Jefferson Rock only to see an old priest donning a friar's hat.
Many who have witnessed the ghostly apparition of the priest were so taken aback by the peacefulness that he emanated that they stopped to say hello, but no reply ever came. The ghost of St. Peters Church would simply turn and walk right through the wall of the cathedral.
Read more: http://www.ghosteyes.com/ghost-st-peters-church#ixzz3EHtFfwTi
------------------------
Uploaded
September 24th, 2014
Statistics
Viewed 351 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 03/28/2024 at 5:23 AM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (5)
Ruth Housley
I have been to Harper Ferry and never seen this church, it must be a new one. Very pretty Emmy!! Ruth
Rebecca Smith
What is it about this beautiful church! I just love this capture. And I am trying to figur out where you were standing. Just Lovely!
Ann Horn
Wonderful composition, vibrants color, and fine textures, Emmy... so very beautiful! f/l
Emmy Vickers replied:
Wow - thanks for the awesome compliments Ann, I so appreciate it! Also many thanks for the favorite and like.
Emmy Vickers
It was a beautiful September summery day (09/12/2014) for site seeing at the historical Harpers Ferry National Park . This fabulous scene of St. Peters Roman Catholic Church can be viewed from down below. Because this was the first day I did not use crutches and just wore my knew brace, while out and about walking, I could not hike up the steps to see this beauty. So I enjoyed it from below. Incredible history here. See description for details. If you are ever near the eastern pan handle of West Virginia, it's definitely worth it to spend at least a half day checking things out and than stopping for delicious home made ice cream at one of the ice cream shops or for lunch or dinner. Enjoy!