With such a long and highly regarded reputation of doing good work, why would Holy Cross Abbey be haunted? We’re glad you asked!
Most organizations with long histories have been known to have a few low points, such as hints of scandal, secrets that have been buried, and mysteries yet to be solved. Holy Cross Abbey is no exception. Let’s get into possible sources of paranormal activity by revisiting some very real history regarding traumatic events.
Dark History
*WARNING: If you are easily offended, please skip down to Paranormal Claims*
Smith V. McCabe
In 1958, Thomas J. Smith and James McCabe were both 14 years-old and enrolled in the boys’ school at Holy Cross Abbey. James McCabe apparently kept a revolver in his room. Around noon on February 11, 1958, James McCabe shot Thomas Smith in the chest, severely injuring him. There are some conflicting stories as to what actually happened. James McCabe testified that another student named James Conway pulled the revolver from a holster and pointed it at James McCabe while he was working on a model car at a table in his room. McCabe took the revolver from Conway and loaded it, was unable to unloaded the ammunition, and laid the revolver on a table, where it accidentally discharged, striking Smith in the chest.
Thomas J. Smith testified that he was lying on the bottom bunk in McCabe’s room, when McCabe pointed the loaded revolver at him. Smith further stated he sat up on the bunk and was about to leave the room when McCabe shot him. An unidentified witness testified that Smith got off of the bunk, put his leg over a chair near McCabe, and said “Let me get a little bit closer”, after which McCabe shot Smith in the chest. Father Peters testified that he rode to the hospital with Smith, and Smith made several statements, such as “We were playing Russian Roulette”.
Father Hilary Vickman testified that Smith told him later that he and McCabe often played with the unloaded revolver, pointing it at each other and playing games. On this occasion, the gun was loaded and the shooting happened by accident. Whatever the case may be, Thomas Smith’s father, Orin, filed a lawsuit against James McCabe’s father, Eugene (for buying the revolver and ammunition for his son), Holy Cross Abbey, and Benedictine Fathers. The lawsuit alleged that Holy Cross Abbey had a “gun room” where any weapons belonging to the boys were supposed to be kept. However, McCabe’s revolver was removed by a prefect and McCabe kept his gun and ammunition in his room. Whatever really happened, the lawsuit made to the Colorado Supreme Court, and Orin Smith got nothing (as the jury believed Thomas J. Smith to be guilty of “contributory negligence.
Father Meinrad Richard Chung O.S.B. (Order of St. Benedict)
Born in 1951, Father Chung became a monk at Holy Cross Abbey, as well as a teacher at the boys’ school. In 1988, Father Chung was appointed chairman of religious services at St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs. In 1992, the Colorado Springs Diocese received a report that father Chung had sexually abused a male student at St. Mary’s High School. This triggered an official police investigation and on March 19, 1992, Father Chung was informed of the allegations and suspended from St. Mary’s. On March 20, 1992, Father Chung was found deceased in his garage, sitting in his car with the engine running. Father Chung’s death was ruled suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.
On March 25, 1992, Father Chung was buried in the cemetery of Holy Cross Abbey. In 2004, a lawsuit was filed against both the Pueblo Diocese and Holy Cross Abbey. A man claimed that when he was 14 years old, he was molested by Father Chung in 1982 while attending the boys’ school at Holy Cross Abbey.
Br. Barnabus Stelzner O.S.B.
On January 29, 1997, a man filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court which alleged that Br. Barnabus Stelzner both physically and sexually abused him while attending the abbey school as a student in 1982 and 1983. The lawsuit claims that br. Stelner told him the sexual abuse was “the will of God”, and the physical abuse consisted of stripping male students naked in front of the student body for Br. Stelzner and others to beat with paddled and or boards. A third-party report published in 2019 named br. Stelzner as being “credibility identified as a sexual abused”. Br. Stelzner was still assigned to Holy Cross Abbey at the time of the lawsuit, though he was working in Kansas. Br. Stelzner’s current whereabouts are unknown.
“Father C” (Real Name Unknown)
“Father C” was caught skinny-dipping with a 15-year-old male student at Holy Cross Abbey in 1972. He was charged, plead guilty to, and convicted of sexual assault. Oddly enough, the Denver Diocese was aware of the incident, but unaware of his conviction until days after Father C and been ordained in 1989. Father C was given a psychiatric evaluation which concluded “he presented no risk to children but should have pastoral supervision”. Father C underwent a second evaluation in 1994 before being promoted to pastor, with the same conclusion. However, Father C was ordered to attend monthly counseling sessions. Father C managed to keep his felony conviction mostly quiet for 25 years. A lawsuit in 1997 brought Father C’s criminal past to light. A third psychiatric evaluation produced the same conclusion and resulted in Father C being transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as serving as Parochial Vicar at St. James Parish in Denver. Father C attended monthly counseling sessions and remained under supervision until his retirement in 2002. The current whereabouts of Father C are unknown.
Ku Klux Klan
In the early 1900’s, the Ku Klux Klan was highly active in Colorado. In fact, Cañon City was considered a headquarters in 1924. So, there’s little surprise that the Ku Klux Klan were aware of Benedictine monks buying land and building a monastery. Seen as a threat to their Protestant faith, members of the Ku Klux Klan would engage in harassment, such as lighting crosses on the front lawn. Fortunately for the Benedictine monks, a series of misfortunes (high-ranking members dying or being voted out of office) led to the Klan losing its grip on Cañon City (and Colorado in general) by 1928. There is a photo that is easily found online, depicting Ku Klux Klan members riding a Ferris wheel in full wardrobe. Not only is that photo real, is was taken in Cañon City in the early 1920’s.
The Prison Connection
The monastery is said to have been built, mostly, with prison labor, provided by the local Colorado Territorial prison. As with a prisoner-guard dynamic in general, mistreatment can occur, conditions can be brutal, violence can happen and escalate quickly. In fact, Holy Cross Abbey was considered as a location for a federal prison in 1989. However, another location was chosen instead (the infamous federal Supermax known as ADX Florence). The former gymnasium at Holy Cross Abbey was used as a Colorado Department of Corrections training academy for more than two decades.
In addition to all of that negative energy, there are the more general types of situations that could lead to hauntings such as deaths from natural causes or spirits returning to a place they have a connection to. What has been reported at Holy Cross Abbey?
Paranormal Claims
In addition to the negative energy from past traumatic events, there are more general types of situations that could lead to hauntings, such as deaths from natural causes or spirits returning to an area in which they feel a connection.
The Monks
Apparitions that appear dressed as monks have been seen (in some cases, very clearly) in various areas of the building. Considering the number of monks who lived, worked, died (or were buried) at Holy Cross Abbey over a period of 80 years, there’s little surprise you might see one.
Fun fact: The last living Benedictine monk of Holy Cross Abbey passed in 2020 at the age of 83. He’s also buried in the last available space in the cemetery.
The Nuns
Ever turned around in a hallway and saw the image of a nun standing there? Sounds creepy, right? That’s happened at Holy Cross Abbey. And much like the monks, there is little surprise you’d see a nun. After all, many nuns lived, worked, and possibly died on the property as well. Nuns have been mostly seen on the first floor.
Fun fact: The Nuns’ residence (known as The Sisters’ House) is still standing and, as recently as last year, you could spend the night.
The Immigrants
If you checked out the “history” section, we mentioned how students from across the world attended the Abbey Boy’s School. Not only that, during World War II, a group of German female immigrants also found themselves at Holy Cross Abbey. These women ran the kitchen, which is in the basement, all the way at one end. There are reports of unexplained noises, odd feelings, and disembodied voices.
Fun fact: The voices heard in the kitchen speak in a foreign language…That a well-versed ear may recognize as German.
The Basement
If the prospect of encountering a monk (that reports state doesn’t appear friendly), or a German kitchen worker isn’t enough, the basement has one other commonly reported type of paranormal activity, something a bit…darker. A misshapen, dark shadow has been encountered in the kitchen pantry area, and visitors often feel as if they are being watched or followed. In the boiler room, a misshapen dark shadow has been seen, visitors have been scratched, and unexplained loud banging noises have been heard. A small room at the other end of the hallway is often said to feel heavy or suffocating. Evidence has also been captured of doors opening or closing on their own and several have reported the sound of an old telephone ringing.
Fun fact: There’s a small room near the cafeteria where, when the ground was frozen during winter months, bodies were stored.
Children of the 4th Floor
The 4th floor of Holy Cross Abbey is known for multiple reports of paranormal activity believed to be exhibited by the spirits of children. Disembodied voices are often reported in the hallways or coming from rooms. Investigation equipment has been triggered without explanation. One particular room is believed to be inhabited by the spirit of a little girl named Abigail (sometimes called Emily). Shadows and equipment manipulation are reported in and around this room.
Fun fact: There shouldn’t be the spirit of a little girl in this area. Abigail may have a unique story (if you can get her to share it), or perhaps she isn’t a little girl at all.
The Chapel
The chapel is one of the most beautiful areas of the abbey. It’s also claimed to be one of the most haunted. There are reports of investigators and staff feeling unwelcome or as if they are being watched. The apparition of a monk has been encountered in the chapel, as well as unexplained noises, cold breezes, and the organ inexplicably playing music. In the sacristy located behind the altar, women who enter are said to feel unwelcome.
Fun fact: A number of people have been terrified in the chapel, to the point they both refuse to enter the chapel and refuse to talk about their experience.
If you ever wanted to investigate a massive location with a rich history and some amazing chance to capture evidence of paranormal activity….THIS….IS….IT!