Real-Life X-Files: Investigating the Paranormal

26. The Haunted Cathedral

~ Chapter 26 The Ha11~ted Cathedral Built between 1845 and 1853, Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton, New Brunswick, is considered "one of the most fascinating ecclesiastical buildings in Canada" (Trueman 1975). Certainly with its imposing spire and lofty interior arches it represents an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture (figure 26.1). Supposedly, the Anglican sanctuary also has a resident spirit. Some describe only a vague sense of a presence, while others say a shadowy figure has been sighted-reportedly the ghost of Mrs. John Medley, wife of the first bishop. Just who is alleged to have seen her usually goes unreported, but according to a former assistant curate, the Reverend David Mercer,"She's supposed to come up Church Street and enter by the west door. What she does after that, I really don't know" (Trueman 1975,85). One source of apparent late vintage attempted to supply the motive: in life the faithful Mrs. Medley had been accustomed to carry her husband's dinner to him at the church, a practice she supposedly rehearsed after she passed into spirithood ("Haunted" 1999). Unfortunately , this charming tale was debunked when Ivisited the Medleys' graves, located just beyond the east end ofthe cathedral (figure 26.2). As carved inscriptions made clear, it was the bishop who passed first, in 1892, his widow living on to 1905. Even a local storyteller, who had often repeated the anecdote about the dutiful ghost but who accompanied me to the grave site, quickly conceded that the tale lost rationale in light of this evidence ("Haunted" 1999). Another "it-is-said" source claims Mrs. Medley's alleged visitations are malevolent, resulting from her extreme dislike of her husband's successor (Dearborn 1996), while still another Figure 26. 1."Haunted" Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton. New Brunswick, Canada. 171 "'I" 172 "'f' Real-Life X-Files Figure 26.2. Graves of Bishop John Medley and his wife, the latter's ghost being rcportc(l to h,lurlt the sanctuary. states that the perambulating spirit merely "surveys the Cathedral, as if in wonderment, and then disappears" (Colombo 1988). Such variant tales are an obvious indication of the human tendency for legend-making. I talked with two elderly churchgoers (each with about forty-five years' membership) and a young tour guide, none of whom had ever seen a ghost in the church. The latler stated that the notion the cathedral was haunted was not supported by current parishioners and was largely regarded as folklore (Meek 1999). The impetlls for ghostly inklings may well have been the cathedral's own "spooky atmosphere" and indeed "haunted air"- an effect stemming from the somber setting and play of subdued light and shadow, and heightened by the presence of a stone cenotaph, its figure of Bishop Medley recumbent in death (Trueman 1975). (See figllfe 26.3.) Such an atmosphere, admits one writer, is "enough to spark the most dormant imagination" (Dearborn 1996). The Haunted Cathedral Figure 26.3. Stone cenotaph of Bishop Medley, which helps add to "spooky atmosphere" of the cathedral. References Colombo, John Robert. 1988. Mysterious Callada: Smmge Sights, Extmordill(ITy Evetl/s, mlfi Pemiiur Piaces. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. Dearborn. Dorothy. 1996. Legeuds, Oddities & Mysteries ... ill New BrrlflSwick. St. John, N.B.: Neptune, 15-16. "Haunted Hike" tour guide. 1999. Personal communication. Fredericton, N.B., Junt' 28. Meek, Hilary. 1999. Personal communication, June 28. Trueman, Stuart. 1975. Ghosts, Pirates rllld TreaSl/re Trove: The Plum/oms TIIIII HaulIl New Brill/swick. 'loronto: McClelland and Stewart, 84- 85. 173 "I' ...