Trinity House Café
Location submitted by: sdonley on 07/03/2025
DBA Approved: Y
PANICd#: 2223
| The building housing Trinity House Cafe and Market sits at the corner of Church and Market Streets in historic Leesburg, Virginia. |
101 E Market St
Leesburg , VA 20176
Open to the public: Yes
https://www.trinityhousecafe.com/
Lat: 38.97115
Lon: -77.56352
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 2
Claims: 11
Evidence: 0
Resources: 1
Retrievals: 39180
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
The building housing Trinity House Cafe and Market sits at the corner of Church and Market Streets in historic Leesburg, Virginia. Constructed in 1794, it originally served as the George Head House, home to the Head family for more than a century. The Head family included George Head Sr a British soldier captured during the Revolutionary War and his son George Head Jr., who later served as both mayor of Leesburg and as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Over the years the house transitioned through many owners and uses, reflecting Leesburg's evolving history. By the early 20th century it was recognized as a valuable architectural and historical structure. In 2014 the property was leased and transformed into Trinity House Cafe and Market by Soren and Ever Johnson, founders of Trinity House Community. Their goal was to open a public gathering place rooted in Catholic hospitality and inspired by the legacy of the new evangelization.
Trinity House Cafe officially opened on October 24, 2014, welcoming customers with a mission to create a taste of heaven through faith-inspired community building in a historic setting. As an outreach of the Trinity House Community nonprofit, it blends cafe service market offerings and cultural events within the preserved Federal-style residence.
The cafe operates within one of Leesburg's most significant historic landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its period architecture offers both visual charm and historical resonance, while its corner location directly across from the historic Loudoun County Courthouse adds to its symbolic place at a crossroads of civic and cultural life.
Since opening Trinity House has become more than just a cafe; it is a hub for live music, art exhibitions, local gatherings, children's programs, and cultural events. Its success reflects both the historic appeal of the building and the founders vision of creating inclusive hospitality rooted in faith, community, and beauty.
Added by: sdonley on 07/27/2025 DB#:796
Source(s):
Various
Stories are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location.
The Trinity House Cafe and Market nestled in the historic George Head House in Leesburg is not only a gathering spot but also a place tinged with whispers of the past. Built in the late 18th century and used for over two centuries, the building is said to carry the weight of many lives who walked its halls, some of whom may linger still as unseen presences. Guests and staff have shared a range of eerie experiences throughout the cafe and its grounds.
One of the most commonly reported phenomena is the sound of footsteps echoing through the back hallways or upper levels when no one is present. During quiet hours especially in the early morning before the cafe opens or late at night after closing employees have heard what sounds like someone walking briskly above or along the corridor only to find the space empty upon investigation.
Others describe sudden chills or shifts in temperature near the old stairwell or by the front windows at dusk. Patrons occasionally feel a strange sense of being gently watched even when seated alone while standing in line or browsing the market displays. Some say the sensation is accompanied by a faint touch on the shoulder or the brief brush of a presence passing behind them.
Several visitors report seeing shadowy figures in peripheral vision moving near doorways or behind shelves that disappear once looked at directly. Some staff have also described glimpsing what appears to be a female silhouette in period attire standing momentarily near the entrance or in one of the older rooms before vanishing into thin air.
The cafe's ambience also carries subtle auditory oddities; a few people have mentioned hearing the distant strains of piano-like music drifting from rooms currently unused or storage areas. Often described as soft and imperfect, the music has no clear origin, stopping abruptly when followed. Whether interpreted as echoes of past gatherings or the building itself resonating with memory, these encounters add an undercurrent of mystery to this historic Leesburg landmark.
Added by: sdonley on 07/27/2025 DB#:1757
Source(s):
Various
Many local ghost stories and haunted tours mention that windows throughout the cafe building have been found mysteriously opened, sometimes wide, despite being locked and no one nearby. Each owner of the house and now the cafe has reportedly experienced this phenomenon. No matter how many times the windows are secured, they reopen by themselves night after night.
The supernatural explanation centers on Captain George Head, the house’s original owner and son of a Tory Revolutionary War soldier. According to local lore, Head was known for keeping the windows wide open even in harsh winter weather. Paranormal enthusiasts believe his spirit remains attached to the house, continuing to insist on fresh air by opening the windows autonomously just as he did in life.
Attempts to prevent it new windows, upgraded locks, even leaving them closed have reportedly failed. The phenomenon persists, with some claiming that even during the day windows will swing open on their own when the cafe is quiet. No airflow or mechanical issue has ever been conclusively identified as the cause.
For visitors and staff these unexplained openings contribute to an eerie charm. Imagine entering the cafe to find windows ajar on a still morning no breeze no draft, yet wide open. That kind of unsettling synchronicity reinforces the house’s haunted reputation and fuels stories told on ghost tours across Leesburg.
Added by: sdonley on 07/27/2025 DB#:1758
Source(s):
Various
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, your account must have contributor access or higher.
| Claim# | Claim |
| 4195 | Footsteps are heard in empty hallways and upper floors.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4196 | Chills and sudden temperature drops occur near stairwells and windows.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4197 | Guests feel like they are being watched while seated or browsing.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4198 | Unseen hands gently touch shoulders or brush past visitors.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4199 | Shadowy figures move near doorways and vanish when looked at.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4200 | A woman in period clothing is seen briefly before disappearing.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4201 | Soft piano music is heard coming from unused rooms.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4202 | Music stops abruptly when someone investigates.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4203 | Shapes are seen moving behind shelves with no one there.
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4204 | Strange sensations and sounds happen most often during quiet hours. Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
| 4205 | The windows in the building have been known to be found open even when they have been locked. Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
Paranormal evidence is based on claims that have been reported for this location. There can be several types of evidence; however, we have grouped them based on media type for better organization. Here you will find evidence that are logs, audio, video, or photographic.
To add evidence for a claim, you must submit it to PANICd.com for approval to be entered into the database.
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This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Exploring the Paranormal: Top Haunted Places | 15 West Homes | But did you know that it also hides some spine-tingling secrets? Join us as we share our picks for the top 5 haunted places in Leesburg Virginia! |
| Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley | |
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