The St. Thomas Pioneer Church, is situated in the City of St. Thomas, Ontario. The brick and stucco building was designed in the Gothic Revival style and was constructed in 1824.
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The Church also includes many interesting features in the cemetery. Local folklore tells of the witch’s grave. Maria Baldwin died giving childbirth on Feb 10, 1863 and the baby, Maria Louise, died a few months later on Sept 15, 1863. Both were laid to rest in the churchyard. The gravestone was imported from the Toronto area and within a year it turned black. During the 1980’s and 1990’s rumour's spread throughout the area that she was a witch. There used to be a chain around the head stone. It is said that whoever should step inside the chain would be cursed. Over time the chain that was around the grave had corroded and was taken away...but the poles still remain.
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Science has shown that the tombstone actual turned black because of the effects of acid rain on the sandstone. Yup... that's me standing in the space of the so called curse. I'm just a person that believes that science rules over superstitions. Besides, if Maria Baldwin were a witch she would never have been buried in an Anglican churchyard.
Interesting story Andy. But as a man who believe more in science it is still strange that only that tombstone is black or are the others not from sandstone.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason for the superstitious to believe.
DeleteInteresting story, I can't believe people in 1980 still believed in witches, thought it was something of the past with burning the poor women.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool story - and I hope you're right about the science over superstition thing... ;-)
ReplyDeleteOH, look how brave you are! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy these tidbits of local folklore. I'm a scientist by training, I'll also take science over superstition!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting story. I'm hoping she wasn't thought of as a witch when she was alive because that would have made her life very lonely. Beautiful pioneer church in the top photo.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting tombstone and story!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting tale, Andy. I like the simple frontal photo of the church.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am generally on the side of science over superstition, but I still remain a bit skeptical about science, given how often scientific conclusions are later found to be wrong.
That is a beautiful and classic church. Lovely shot! Witches? Curses? Yeah, sure.
ReplyDeleteClassic church. Always found grave yards fascinating for the stories they tell, often tragic stories. Witches? I'm right with you on that one.
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