Do you ever get that strange, nagging feeling you just can’t shake? The feeling that makes all the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The feeling that around some corner, through some window, just out of sight…you’re being watched.

Rumours have been swirling around Orillia for decades about the supernatural nature of St. Columbkille and once the sun goes down, the church goes from beautiful to spine-chilling in an instant. The 100-year-old stain glass windows change from eye-catching pieces of art to dark gateways that hide a shadowy gaze.

Founded in 1855, St. Columbkille was the home of Irish and Scottish parishioners fleeing famine and religious persecutions who began spreading the urban legend that the church was haunted. There are a few things that contribute to the haunted stories including a rectory that has stood empty for over 100 years and a graveyard holding both the original settlers and dotted with unknown graves.

Be sure to check back with us this week as we explore more of…Haunted Simcoe.

Featured image courtesy of St. Columbkille Church via stcolumbkillesor.archtoronto.org