The Haunting of St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin

Located in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England, St. Mary’s Church and its charming graveyard hold one of the area’s most eerie local legends. It is believed the spirit of a former gravedigger, known as Old Amos, haunts the church to this very day. Old Amos, whose real name was Amos Diggory, worked in the late 18th century at St. Mary’s. A local man, Amos was reputed to partake in drunk frolics on local taverns once his working day ended. He would boast about his morbid work, captivating audiences with stories of the ‘residents’ of his graves and the eerie sounds he heard at night, digging in the graveyard. One stormy night, Amos met his fateful end as he was carrying out his duties, struck by a lightning bolt as he dug. Since then, a spectral figure believed to be the ghost of Old Amos is said to haunt the graveyard, especially on stormy nights. Locals recount eerie whispers on windy nights, footsteps behind them, and even sightings of a ghostly figure in period clothing wandering among the graves. A chilling tale has also arisen around the statue of an angel in the graveyard, known as the ‘Weeping Angel.’ If caught in her gaze, it is said that the viewer will be haunted by ill fortune. This tale turns the idyllic, peaceful graveyard into an intense and chilling experience after dark, with its centuries of history seemingly coming alive. The legend of Old Amos’ haunting is deeply entrenched in local folklore, transforming St. Mary’s Church into a landmark of supernatural importance.

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