Bruton Parish Episcopal Church

Stories & Folklore

Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.

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Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg holds more than colonial memory and sacred tradition—it cradles a tragic love story that still echoes through the pews and gravestones. Reverend Jones and his young wife were once the heart of the parish, admired for their devotion to one another and their faith. But their story took a dark turn when complications arose during the birth of their first child. The doctor could offer no hope—his wife would not survive the labor. As her life slipped away, Reverend Jones made a heart-wrenching vow beside her deathbed, swearing he could not live without her and begging her to wait for him in heaven. He buried her near the church where they had spent so many joyful days together, promising to honor her forever.

But only three months later, townspeople were stunned when Reverend Jones returned to Williamsburg riding in a carriage that carried a newly made tombstone for his late wife's grave—and a new bride. As the townsfolk whispered their disapproval, something far stranger began to unfold. In the days leading up to his return, multiple witnesses had seen the image of his deceased wife wandering the cemetery and sitting silently in the church pews. She was said to appear as clearly as any living person, her presence unmistakable. The problem was, she had been buried for months.

Her ghost continued to manifest in the days and weeks following Reverend Jones’s return; only now her spirit was different. Once a quiet, sorrowful figure, she became a weeping, wailing apparition, overcome with heartbreak and rage. The townspeople believed she had returned not just out of mourning, but out of betrayal. Reverend Jones had broken the promise he made with his dying wife, and her restless spirit would not forgive or forget. Her cries were said to fill the churchyard at night, echoing off the gravestones like wind through broken glass.

The final insult came when Reverend Jones, planning for his own death and burial, chose to place his new wife’s future grave between his own and that of the woman he once swore he could never live without. The symbolism did not go unnoticed—separating himself from his first love even in death, while still keeping her uncomfortably close. Visitors say this act sealed the unrest of the spirit, and sightings of the grieving, furious woman in white have persisted through the centuries.

Today, the Joneses are still buried in the Bruton Parish Church graveyard, their headstones worn and quiet under the Virginia sky. Yet many claim that Reverend Jones’s first wife has never truly rested. She remains a part of the church’s haunted legacy, a ghost born not just from love and loss, but from a sacred vow betrayed. Her story, passed down through generations, is a reminder that even promises made in whispers at the edge of death can echo for eternity.

Added by: sdonley on 07/15/2025 DB#: 1727
Source(s): Various

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Another chilling account comes from the church's side entrance, reported by two Colonial Williamsburg security officers. Late one evening, as they sat in their patrol vehicle, they noticed a lone figure making his way up the road from the direction of the Palace Green. The man appeared tall and shadow-like, dressed in what looked like an old-fashioned black suit and vest. What disturbed the guards most, however, were two bizarre features: his unnaturally long neck and his glowing red eyes. While some believe spirits with extended necks may have been hanged during their lifetime, there's no known record of an execution occurring near this specific location. The old gallows once stood much farther away, along Capitol Landing Road. Still, the figure’s appearance raised unsettling questions.

The mysterious man was seen slipping behind a large tree near the brick wall that surrounds the churchyard. The guards assumed he had used the tree as leverage to climb over the wall and enter the cemetery. They quickly got out of the car and searched the grounds, hoping to confront him. But when they entered the churchyard, he had completely disappeared. As they scanned the shadows, they thought they heard the faint sound of a heavy door closing, leading them to believe the man might have slipped inside the church.

Determined not to let the stranger escape, they went to the church's main door, only to find it securely locked. After unlocking it themselves and stepping inside, they paused to let their eyes adjust to the darkness. That’s when they heard an unsettling noise—something rhythmic and strange, described as a whooshing followed by a heavy thud. It echoed unnaturally in the stillness of the old sanctuary.

Turning on their flashlights, the source of the noise became terrifyingly clear. Hymnals were lifting off from the pews and sailing across the room before crashing into the walls. Book after book launched itself from its resting place, propelled by some unseen force. The guards stood frozen in disbelief for a moment, watching the impossible unfold.

Realizing they were witnessing something beyond explanation, the two officers didn’t stay to investigate further. Overwhelmed by fear and confusion, they quickly fled the building. To this day, their experience remains one of the most unnerving supernatural encounters tied to Bruton Parish Church—and one of the most widely repeated among Williamsburg’s late-night tales.

Added by: sdonley on 07/15/2025 DB#: 1728
Source(s): https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-cities/willi...

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Paranormal Claims

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, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.

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Claim #	Added	Added By	Claim
3896	07/15/2025	sdonley	The apparition of a woman in period clothing has been seen roaming the grounds and the church.
3897	07/15/2025	sdonley	Disembodied screams have been heard.
3898	07/15/2025	sdonley	Disembodied footsteps have been reported.
3899	07/15/2025	sdonley	Disembodied cries and wailing have been reported.
3900	07/15/2025	sdonley	Himnals have been seen floating and then flying up against the walls.
3901	07/15/2025	sdonley	The apparition of a man dressed in period clothing with a long neck and red eyes has been seen entering the grounds.

Additional Resources

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.

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Wikipedia Entry Added: 07/15/2025 By: sdonley	Wikipedia entry for this location.
Bruton Parish Church - Williamsburg's Oldest and Most Haunted Building - US Ghost Adventures Added: 07/15/2025 By: sdonley	Information about the building and the paranormal.
Bruton Parish Episcopal Church Cemetery in Williamsburg, Virginia - Find a Grave Cemetery Added: 07/15/2025 By: sdonley	Find 728 memorial records at the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church Cemetery cemetery in Williamsburg, Virginia. Add a memorial, flowers or photo.