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The original was posted on /r/ghoststories by /u/ELFRENA_GREEN on 2025-10-05 16:35:45+00:00.

So, where I live, there is a town, yes, a whole town, that is on the National Regestry of Historic Places. In this town, which was established in the late 1800s to the early 1900s, there is a church. Because of course there is. This church is stunning, hell, the whole town is gorgeous. All of the original buildings still stand, and the people who live in them must keep them authentic, at least on the outside, but I’m getting off course.

Now, as I said, this church is entirely original, which, given that it is made of wood, is amazing. Let’s be honest, saltwater-related and saltwater-related weather wreaks havoc on wood. However, the exterior is in pristine condition, and like the exterior, the interior is also all original. Now, the first time that I saw this church, I was in awe. I will admit to being a bit trepidatious about setting foot in it, due to my being a pagan witch. However, walking in for the first time was wholly breathtaking. No, I don’t believe that the church is unconsecrated; they still hold services there on Sundays.

Walking in for the first time, I thought that I would be bombarded by angry spirits trying to push me out. That, however, was not the case. Sure, there were plenty of spirits, and most of them were not happy that a witch was setting foot into their church. I can’t really say that I blame them. Now, the entire town is haunted, but the church, let’s just say that I wasn’t expecting there to be that many spirits there. After leaving that first time, I didn’t expect to really ever go back. Mostly because I didn’t want to upset the spirits of the church. Unfortunately, for me, this past Monday, my brother-in-law got married in said church.

Out of respect for the spirits, I remained outside as long as the rain permitted. Eventually, I had to go inside for the ceremony. To my surprise, the spirits of the church were more than happy to have me and everyone else there. They sat among us in the pews and were nothing but kind. Overall, it was a lovely ceremony, even though some of the lady spirits were scandalized by the bridesmaids’ dresses.

I have to preface this next part with a very sad short story. My husband’s aunt recently lost her husband to cancer and has not been doing well. Not that I could blame her, I don’t know what I would do if I lost my husband. That being said, even though they invited her, none of us expected her to show up. Well, okay, I knew she would be there, because even though she doesn’t like me, she would never miss one of her nephews getting married. Mostly because she was never able to have children of her own. So, again, I can’t fault her for wanting to be there on her youngest nephew’s big day. To be honest, it was nice to see her, no matter how much she dislikes me. This was about her nephew and not me, and no, I don’t know how she feels about my new sister-in-law.

Anyway, I was not surprised to see her husband there to support his wife and watch his nephew get married. What I didn’t expect was for her to allow me to comfort her when she started to cry. I am normally a fairly decent person, but I will admit that I can be abrasive at times. Okay, most of the time. I don’t like people in general, so sue me.

After the ceremony, and before we all left the church, I did encounter someone whom I didn’t expect. One of the original pastors of the church. As previously stated, there are a lot of ghosts in this church, but I have never encountered one of the pastors before. However, as everyone was leaving and the minister who did the ceremony had left, I happened to look back up at the arch pulpit. Standing there, in all his pastoral regalia, was one of the original pastors. He was standing where the minister who performed the wedding had been standing, glaring at the spot.

He looked up at me and smiled. “Thank heavens that awful man is gone!” he whispered as he appeared next to me. “I despise men who require money to marry two people so obviously in love,” he sighed. “Besides, he was rude and annoying.”

I looked at him, confused as to why he was approaching me, the witch. He smiled and patted me on the arm. “Not all who walk these pews approve of one such as yourself, but I have watched you since you first came to my church. You are respectful of the religious significance of this place as well as its history. I trust you more than I trusted half of my congregation. Being dead has taught this old man a thing or two,” he said, grinning. “You, my dear, are welcome here whenever you like. Perhaps you can help me convince a parishioner or two to move on.”

And with that, he left, just poofed away, as if nothing significant had just happened. I stood there dumbfounded for a long moment, soaking in what had just happened. I have permission from a ghost to come help some of his congregation move on! I mean, sure, I’ve had people (living) ask me to help people move on. This was a ghost, though. It’s a new one for me. I’m not sure what to do with it. I might go back, I might not. We’ll just have to wait and see.