There are more than 1,100 souls buried in the Old North Church in Boston. But this Halloween, the most chilling story is not about a body that lies there; it’s about a brick that was stolen from the church and mysteriously returned.”As historians, we have so many questions,” said Nikki Stewart, executive director of the Old North Illuminated. The brick that was stolen from the crypt was returned to Boston on March 7. It was sent from San Jose, California, with no return address.A note included read, “My husband took this from the crypt. We have had a string of bad luck, and we want to return the brick.””Why did they take it? What happened? Has the luck turned?” Stewart said. The crypt went through an extensive restoration in 2023, which is when officials believe the brick was taken. “Lots of people ask if the crypt is haunted,” Stewart said. “You know, people always ask our staff if they have ghost stories, and so I think I can say about curses what I say about ghosts — I don’t know. I don’t know what the truth is, but I do think that for the most part, people who are buried here in the crypt are where they want to be.” Whether you believe that the brick is cursed or not, Old North is not allowing visitors to touch the brick. But if you want to lay your eyes on it, the After-Hours Crypt Tours run through Halloween weekend.
There are more than 1,100 souls buried in the Old North Church in Boston. But this Halloween, the most chilling story is not about a body that lies there; it’s about a brick that was stolen from the church and mysteriously returned.
“As historians, we have so many questions,” said Nikki Stewart, executive director of the Old North Illuminated.
The brick that was stolen from the crypt was returned to Boston on March 7. It was sent from San Jose, California, with no return address.
A note included read, “My husband took this from the crypt. We have had a string of bad luck, and we want to return the brick.”
“Why did they take it? What happened? Has the luck turned?” Stewart said.
The crypt went through an extensive restoration in 2023, which is when officials believe the brick was taken.
“Lots of people ask if the crypt is haunted,” Stewart said. “You know, people always ask our staff if they have ghost stories, and so I think I can say about curses what I say about ghosts — I don’t know. I don’t know what the truth is, but I do think that for the most part, people who are buried here in the crypt are where they want to be.”
Whether you believe that the brick is cursed or not, Old North is not allowing visitors to touch the brick.
But if you want to lay your eyes on it, the After-Hours Crypt Tours run through Halloween weekend.
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