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The twelfth century church at Borley in an atmospheric photograph by Eddie Brazil

Introduction

The two most famous churches in the British Isles with ghostly associations are undoubtedly those of Langenhoe (demolished in 1962) and of Borley, both in the county of Essex.  Both cases have similarities (albeit reversed) with each other - at Langenhoe on the lonely marshes, the main focus for phenomena was the church itself but activity was also reported in the nearby manor house, whereas in the isolated hamlet of Borley, the main centre for paranormal activity was the notorious Rectory, with phenomena being reported in Borley Church primarily after the Rectory was damaged by fire in 1939 and finally demolished in 1944.  This has led to the comment in popular writings on the Borley case over the years that the Rectory ghosts simply moved over the road into the church after the fire, with reports of the famous ghost nun being seen in the churchyard, together with sounds and noises recorded in the building itself.

Borley Church is obviously integral with the whole history of the Borley hauntings and today is the main focus for visitors to the village as it is the only place connected with the Rectory story that the general public has right of access to.  The Rev. Alfred Clifford Henning, who was rector of the combined parishes of Borley and Liston during the period of Harry Price's 1937-38 tenancy of Borley Rectory and held the position until his death in 1955, himself reported experiencing phenomena which included the sound of the organ being played when the church was known to be empty and footsteps heard inside the building.  These were included in his short account of the village and the Rectory haunting which was privately published as a pamphlet entitled Haunted Borley in 1949. 

Paul Adams with a copy of the Rev. Henning's Haunted Borley on the spot in Borley churchyard where Henning heard the sound of the church organ in the locked and apparently empty church.  (Photograph taken 12th June 2005 by Eddie Brazil)

The church itself was subject to much investigation by paranormal research groups during the early 1970s and tape recordings made at this time inside the church were featured on a BBC television programme with Peter Underwood called The Ghost Hunters in 1975. 

This section of the website will look at all aspects of Borley Church and its role in the Borley Rectory story, both during Harry Price's involvement with the case and in the years after.  As with other sections of the site, the intention is is feature period and historical articles along with modern essays.

A Brief Introduction to the History & Haunting of Borley Church - Part One by Eddie Brazil    The first part of Eddie Brazil's survey of Borley Church's historic and supernatural past.

A Brief Introduction to the History & Haunting of Borley Church - Part Two by Eddie Brazil    The second part of Eddie Brazil's study of Borley Church concentrates on the phenomena reported in and around the building over the years.

 

   

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All original text, photographs & graphics used throughout this website are © copyright 2004-2005 by Paul G. Adams.  All other material reproduced here is the copyright of the respective authors.