Sisters of the Precious Blood Work Annex: Difference between revisions
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** As of 2007, the property was still in the possession of the Langhals family, notably Kim Langhals (daughter-in-law) | ** As of 2007, the property was still in the possession of the Langhals family, notably Kim Langhals (daughter-in-law) | ||
** Undated – Graves were moved and activity reportedly began | ** Undated – Graves were moved and activity reportedly began | ||
== The Sisters of the Precious Blood == | |||
Rev. Johann Wilhelm Horstmann led a group of emigrants from Glandorf, Germany, and founded Glandorf, Ohio, in 1834. He established St. John the Baptist Church at the center of the new town, placing it at the heart of the community’s spiritual and social life. | |||
In 1848, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood assumed administration of St. John the Baptist Church. That same year, the first Sisters of the Precious Blood arrived in Glandorf, marking the beginning of their long-standing presence in the region. | |||
Soon after their arrival, two convents were established: one at Maria Camp (Mary of Good Counsel), located three miles west of Glandorf, and another at Maria zum heiligen Grabe (Mary at the Holy Sepulcher) in Glandorf. The Glandorf convent was one of ten founded by Rev. Francis de Sales Brunner in western Ohio and became a steady source of teachers for Glandorf’s public schools. | |||
As western Ohio was still largely a frontier, there was a high demand for skilled educators. The Sisters, among the first to receive formal teacher training and college degrees, met this need. Although as many as 40 sisters were assigned to the Glandorf convent at one time, no more than six taught in the schools simultaneously. The rest dedicated themselves to perpetual adoration of the Precious Blood and continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. | |||
Throughout their 148-year presence in the region, the Sisters of the Precious Blood focused on two principal ministries: the education of children and a life of prayer. They practiced vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, lived much of their lives in silence, and were deeply devoted to spiritual discipline. | |||
After the 1880s, the Sisters of the Precious Blood became a separate entity from the Missionaries. Nevertheless, the legacy of both communities endured. For nearly 150 years, their work and presence formed a unique and lasting spiritual foundation in Glandorf—an imprint still visible even after the last brothers and sisters departed. | |||
== The Work Annex == | |||
The annex was originally used by the Sisters of the Precious Blood as a workspace where the nuns engaged in weaving, hat-making, and other forms of handiwork. In 1916, the annex was closed and sold to the William Rieman family. It was later acquired by John and Clara Langhals, along with the adjoining farmland. | |||
== The Cemetery == | |||
On the farmland was a cemetery that once served as the burial ground for local members of the Society of the Precious Blood. John Langhals sought and received permission from the Catholic Church to close the cemetery and repurpose the land for farming. The church granted approval on the condition that at least one bone from each grave be relocated to another cemetery. | |||
According to the couple’s daughter, Theresa Lammers Rosengarten, a rosary attached to one of the exhumed bones was brought into the Langhals home. After that, unexplained occurrences reportedly began. Doors would open and close on their own, curtains moved without any apparent cause, and rustling sounds—like someone walking through the hall—could often be heard. | |||
== Kim Langhals' Experiences == | |||
Kim has also reported witnessing doors open and close on their own. On one occasion, she claims she was mysteriously pulled from her bed and pushed down the hallway toward her young daughter’s room. There, she discovered her daughter was vomiting in her sleep—a potentially dangerous situation due to the risk of choking. Kim believes that the ghostly nun may have intervened to alert her and protect her child. | |||
She also states that she is frequently awakened around 2:00 a.m. On several of these occasions, when stepping into the hallway, she has felt something pass by her and has glimpsed what appeared to be a black robe from the corner of her eye. | |||
Her son also had a strange experience while playing with friends. They noticed an upstairs door suddenly close and assumed Kim had shut it. However, when they went downstairs, they found her in the kitchen, confirming that she had not been upstairs at the time. | |||
== Reported Phenomena == | == Reported Phenomena == | ||
Latest revision as of 04:54, 15 July 2025
Sisters of the Precious Blood Work Annex[edit]
Overview[edit]
The Sisters of the Precious Blood Work Annex in Glandorf, Ohio, is reportedly haunted by the spirit of a nun whose remains were once buried on the property. The house was previously used as a convent, and local legend holds that paranormal activity began after graves were relocated and a rosary was removed from one of the exhumed bodies.
Location[edit]
- Address: 147 Church Street
- City/County: Glandorf / Putnam County
- Public Access: No; this appears to be a private residence now
Haunting / Legend Summary[edit]
The primary haunting associated with the Glandorf House involves the ghost of a nun. Witnesses have reported hearing rustling sounds, doorknobs being turned, and scratching on doors. It is believed that the activity may be linked to the disturbance of graves once located on the property. According to the legend, when the graves were moved, a rosary was found and kept by the property owner. Some speculate the nun may be searching for this lost item.
Historical Background[edit]
- Construction date: 1892
- Original purpose: A work annex for an existing convent
- Notable events:
- Property formerly used as a work annex for a convent
- Graves located on the site were reportedly moved
- A rosary was found during exhumation and kept by the farmer
- Key timeline moments:
- Undated – Property served as a convent
- 1916 - the work annex is closed and the property is sold to the William Rieman family
- Undated - the property is sold to John and Clara Langhals
- As of 2007, the property was still in the possession of the Langhals family, notably Kim Langhals (daughter-in-law)
- Undated – Graves were moved and activity reportedly began
The Sisters of the Precious Blood[edit]
Rev. Johann Wilhelm Horstmann led a group of emigrants from Glandorf, Germany, and founded Glandorf, Ohio, in 1834. He established St. John the Baptist Church at the center of the new town, placing it at the heart of the community’s spiritual and social life.
In 1848, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood assumed administration of St. John the Baptist Church. That same year, the first Sisters of the Precious Blood arrived in Glandorf, marking the beginning of their long-standing presence in the region.
Soon after their arrival, two convents were established: one at Maria Camp (Mary of Good Counsel), located three miles west of Glandorf, and another at Maria zum heiligen Grabe (Mary at the Holy Sepulcher) in Glandorf. The Glandorf convent was one of ten founded by Rev. Francis de Sales Brunner in western Ohio and became a steady source of teachers for Glandorf’s public schools.
As western Ohio was still largely a frontier, there was a high demand for skilled educators. The Sisters, among the first to receive formal teacher training and college degrees, met this need. Although as many as 40 sisters were assigned to the Glandorf convent at one time, no more than six taught in the schools simultaneously. The rest dedicated themselves to perpetual adoration of the Precious Blood and continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Throughout their 148-year presence in the region, the Sisters of the Precious Blood focused on two principal ministries: the education of children and a life of prayer. They practiced vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, lived much of their lives in silence, and were deeply devoted to spiritual discipline.
After the 1880s, the Sisters of the Precious Blood became a separate entity from the Missionaries. Nevertheless, the legacy of both communities endured. For nearly 150 years, their work and presence formed a unique and lasting spiritual foundation in Glandorf—an imprint still visible even after the last brothers and sisters departed.
The Work Annex[edit]
The annex was originally used by the Sisters of the Precious Blood as a workspace where the nuns engaged in weaving, hat-making, and other forms of handiwork. In 1916, the annex was closed and sold to the William Rieman family. It was later acquired by John and Clara Langhals, along with the adjoining farmland.
The Cemetery[edit]
On the farmland was a cemetery that once served as the burial ground for local members of the Society of the Precious Blood. John Langhals sought and received permission from the Catholic Church to close the cemetery and repurpose the land for farming. The church granted approval on the condition that at least one bone from each grave be relocated to another cemetery.
According to the couple’s daughter, Theresa Lammers Rosengarten, a rosary attached to one of the exhumed bones was brought into the Langhals home. After that, unexplained occurrences reportedly began. Doors would open and close on their own, curtains moved without any apparent cause, and rustling sounds—like someone walking through the hall—could often be heard.
Kim Langhals' Experiences[edit]
Kim has also reported witnessing doors open and close on their own. On one occasion, she claims she was mysteriously pulled from her bed and pushed down the hallway toward her young daughter’s room. There, she discovered her daughter was vomiting in her sleep—a potentially dangerous situation due to the risk of choking. Kim believes that the ghostly nun may have intervened to alert her and protect her child.
She also states that she is frequently awakened around 2:00 a.m. On several of these occasions, when stepping into the hallway, she has felt something pass by her and has glimpsed what appeared to be a black robe from the corner of her eye.
Her son also had a strange experience while playing with friends. They noticed an upstairs door suddenly close and assumed Kim had shut it. However, when they went downstairs, they found her in the kitchen, confirming that she had not been upstairs at the time.
Reported Phenomena[edit]
- Apparitions: Ghostly nun
- Cold Spots: N/A
- Voices/EVPs: N/A
- Physical Touches: N/A
- Object Movement: Doorknobs turning by unseen hands
- Malfunctions: N/A
- Poltergeist Activity: Scratching noises on doors
- Shadow Figures: N/A
- Time Anomalies: N/A
Skepticism & Alternative Explanations[edit]
Possible natural explanations for the reported activity include:
- Settling of the old structure causing creaking and scratching noises
- Rodents or small animals in walls may be responsible for scratching sounds
- Drafts or pressure changes can cause doorknobs to rattle or move slightly
The psychological influence of knowing the property was once a convent and burial ground may also contribute to perceptions of a haunting. Confirmation bias and suggestion could play roles in the interpretation of normal environmental sounds as paranormal.
Visitor Information[edit]
- Visiting Hours: Not open to the public
- Fees or Costs: N/A
- Contact Info: Unknown
- Warnings/Restrictions: Private property; trespassing is not permitted
Citations / References[edit]
- Chris Woodyard, Haunted Ohio IV
- Dave Westrick, "The Legend of Restless John and Other Ghost Stories", Putnam County Sentinel, 29 Oct. 1980
- Dave Westrick, "Spirits of the Past Abound in Franconia Cemetery", Putnam County Sentinel, 28 Oct. 1981
- The Lima News, “A Match Made in Heaven”, August 3, 1996
- The Lima News, “Book honors lives of anonymous service”, June 10, 2001
- The Lima News, “Searching for scientific evidence of a ghost”, October 31, 2007