Phoenix Arizona
Pioneer Village Community Church
It is said that two restless spirits call this church home.
DESCRIPTION
I would describe it as being simple yet beautiful place to worship or have a wedding.
The structure is an A-Frame, white clapboard, with 4 windows on each side done in the style of the frontier church found in Phoenix. The front of the church has a window on each of the double front door. There is a half window right above the door. The small round stain glass is also above the doors. On top of the roof is a bell in a small A-Frame open steeple.
Inside, the sloping top part and main walls are a lovely soft yellow color with 6 long chain chandeliers hanging from the ceiling; three on each side of the church.
There is a central aisle that runs down the middle, with pews on each side. There is a communion rail in front, with the simple pulpit and altar with the big window behind. In the left corner is the old organ, while in the right corner is the piano.
HISTORY
Community Church – This church is a precise reconstruction of the 1880 St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church which was built in Globe, Arizona, to be a church home for Methodists who lived nearby. By 1927, the congregation had out-grown this building, so they had a farewell service on Sunday, September 11, 1927. They gave their pews to a Baptist Church in Globe.
Afterward, it was torn down and the property was sold to Mountain States Telephone Company. The church congregation took the money from the sale and built a new, bigger church.to make room for a larger, better church building to call home.
However, the congregation saved the original church bell that the neighbors had given the nick name, “God’s Alarm Clock. The congregation saved the original church bell that had the nick name, “God’s Alarm Clock.” they hung it in their new church. Then called the Pioneer Living History Museum, this 90 acre historic park was first started in 1969. Some buildings from Globe, a suburb of Phoenix were moved or reconstructed to be exhibits.
The Tell family of Globe decided to give a generous donation from their Tell Foundation to reconstruct an exact copy of the 1880 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the site of the Pioneer Living History Museum. The careful, detailed oriented, authentic reconstruction was based on the 1500 hours of research done. Church records, original photos, newspaper clippings, and personal interviews.
When the many outside exhibits of a variety of buildings that existed from 1880- early 20th Century, they decided to rename their museum; Pioneer Living History Village to better describe their unique historical collection of buildings Along with a new structure, this church also had a new name: Community Church. They found a way to put this exhibit to work. Community Church is available for weddings throughout the year.
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS
Spirits can attach to many kinds of objects in the time period of their lives; items that were originally found in their house, their place of business, their memorable places that mean a lot to them. When their favorite item is moved, they move with their precious treasures.
Custer House, ND (Not only was the beloved Custer House rebuilt using Custer’s own blueprints, but the spirits who moved inside were over-the-moon with joy when some of their favorite personal items became part of the house museum that displays their life and times).
Modern Sacramento Library, CA (An elderly spectral male academic is still doing research, very much attached to the books in the Reading Reference Room).
Speed Museum, KY (The spirit of an annoyed Native American can be seen standing near some of his belongings on display).
1880 Community Church, AZ (Though the building materials and the windows are reconstructed, there are plenty of items in this church that may be from the original church building. The organ, classic church bell, piano, pulpit, altar, and the two of the original pews bought by First Baptist Church of Globe so long ago may have spirits attached).
Spirits who are restless because of death, misdeeds or unhappy consequences may feel remorseful or upset, sometimes taking comfort in a church where they felt safe and loved while alive.
St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, LA (Several spirits are restless for a variety of reasons seek peace in prayer and being near two spectral priests).
St. Peter’s Church in Harper’s Ferry, WV (The spirit of a wounded soldier who felt that he wouldn’t die if only he could get inside of the church, died on the church steps before he could do so. The spirit of a priest takes care of him and prays for the living).
1880 Community Church, AZ (The two spirits could’ve moved in after the church was finished; coming from the land or perhaps another building in the Pioneer Living History Village).
MANIFESTATIONS
Who Are these Spirits?
There are one male and one female spirit who are finding comfort here. No one knows who these spirits could be.
From the EVPs caught by Phoenix Arizona Paranormal Investigators, there are some clues.
One spirit named the other female spirit “Jamie.” They seem to be close with each other.
My Theory: The spirits could be two children; a brother and his sister Jamie who could’ve lost their lives.
From the EVPs, she could be older and gives directions, and her younger brother will follow them to a point.
The investigators asked the spirits to answer questions using a flashlight. They requested the spirits to touch the two different devices.
Spirit of Jamie
There is a strong aura in the right front corner of the church.
The spirit of Jamie is very friendly when ghost investigators talked to her.
She knew the name of the investigator, Rod.
“Hi Rod! I love you Rod!” This is something a younger person might say.
Spirit of Male
The male spirit touched one of the devices, making the lights flicker and beep.
The spirit told Rod, “Jamie told me to turn it on.”
When asked to touch a second device; a Cell Sensor. The spirit replied in an EVP.
“I DON’T WANT TO.” “NO! I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT!” “I DON’T WANT THAT!”
Sounds like a spirit of a boy standing up for himself against the wishes of the spirit of Jamie and investigator Rod.
PARANORMAL FINDINGS
The staff member I interviewed said that other people have had personal experiences in the church. People may feel cold spots, experience lights with a mind of their own, and other activity that suggests that spirits reside here.
Phoenix Arizona Paranormal Society has gotten hard evidence in all their investigations here.
STILL HAUNTED?
YES INDEED!
Hard evidence and personal experiences point to at least two spirit young people enjoying being in the Community Church. Phoenix Arizona Paranormal Society has been front and center investigating the historic buildings found at Pioneer Living History Village.
The spirits who reside here find some peace for their restlessness and have courteous manners for the most part.
LOCATION
Pioneer Living History Village: Community Church
The 1880 Community Church can be found in Pioneer Living History Village, on the upper west side of this 90 acre historical collection of buildings and homes.
SOURCES INCLUDE
- Phoenix Arizona Paranormal Society (PAPS) Ghost Town Tour 1/26/19 – www.youtube.com
- pioneeraz.org/community-church-reconstructed/
Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr
Our Photos are copyrighted by Tom Carr